Published by the Barbados Labour Party, 111 Roebuck Street, Bridgetown, Barbados. Printed by Coles Printery Limited.

The Visionfor A BetterTomorrow

Manifesto 2013A Blueprint for The Future

The Team for A Better Tomorrow The Team for A Better Tomorrow

LEADER - St. Peter

OwenARTHUR

St. Joseph

DaleMARSHALL

GregoryNICHOLLS

St. MichaelNorth West

LynetteEASTMOND

St. Philip West

Christ Church West

MariaAGARD

JosephATHERLEY

St. Michael West St. MichaelSouth East

SantiaBRADSHAW

St. George North

GlineCLARKE

Christ ChurchWest Central

MargoDURANT-

CALLENDER

St. MichaelWest Central

IanGOODING-EDGHILL

St. Thomas

CynthiaFORDE

DavidGILL

St. MichaelSouth Central

St. John

Hudson E.GRIFFITH

Bridgetown

JeffreyBOSTIC

St. James North

EdmundHINKSON

St. MichaelNorth East

Mia AmorMOTTLEY

St. Michael South

NoelLYNCH

St. Andrew

GeorgePAYNE

Christ ChurchEast Central

DesmondSANDS

St. George South

DwightSUTHERLAND

St. James Central

KerrieSYMMONDS

St. Philip South

AnthonyWOOD

Christ Church South

JeromeWALCOTT

Christ Church East

WilfredABRAHAMS

St. Michael North

RonaldTOPPIN

St. Philip North

IndarWEIR

St. Lucy

PeterPHILLIPS

St. Michael East

TrevorPRESCOD

St. Michael Central

ArthurHOLDER

St. James South

SandraHUSBANDS

1

Table of Contents

WE OFFER YOU LEADERSHIP 4FROM STABILITY TO CALAMITY - The DLP Legacy 6A BETTER TOMORROW - Our Pledge. Our Goal. 9

A Vision for Barbados 10

THE RESCUE AND THERECONSTRUCTION OF THE ECONOMY 12

Strategies for Growth and Development 13CORE POLICIES

Cost of living 14The Restoration of Fiscal Order and Prudence 15Putting Money in People’s Pockets - Tax Relief 16An Incomes Policy 17Energy Pricing Policy – A New Deal 17

NEW PILLARS OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 18A New ICT Platform 18New Approaches to Businessand Investment Facilitation 19Flexible Land Use Policy 19Stimulating Private Capital Inflows 20

A NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE 21Vending 21Financial Innovation 22Interest Rate Deregulation 22National Reconstruction Fund 22Finance for the New Economy 22Micro Leasing 22Strengthening our Credit Unions 23Credit Card and Bank Charges 23Reverse Mortgages 23

Table of Contents

2

SECTORAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES 24TOURISM – THE DRIVING FORCE 25

Financing, Investment & Incentives 26Marketing & Product Development 27Community Tourism 27Cruise Tourism 27Aviation 28

THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SECTOR – REALISING THE POTENTIAL 28

Diversifying our Product Mix 29Cost And Ease of Doing Business 30Strengthening our Treaty Network 31Indigenous Services Development 32

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT - A NEW REMIT 32Food Security 33Agricultural Health and Food Safety 33Youth in Agriculture 34Resuscitation of the Sugar Industry 34Support for the Rum Industry 34Fisheries 34Fairchild Street Market 34Development of the Scotland District 34

MANUFACTURING SECTOR 35CULTURE AND THE CREATIVE ECONOMY 36THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE GREEN ECONOMY 37

The Coastal Environment 38Harrison’s Cave 39Energy Production – Opportunity for Growth 39Energy Conservation 39

Table of Contents

3

BUILDING A 21ST CENTURY ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE 41Economy for the Youth 43A Brighter Tomorrow for the Elderly 45Fixing the Clico Debacle 47New Deal for Small Business Class 48Job #1 is Still Jobs 49

NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR ECONOMICGOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP 50

A New Development Council 50Business Facilitation Unit, Office of The Prime Minister 50

SOCIAL SECTORS AND SOCIAL POLICIES -Looking After the People 51

EDUCATION AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 52HEALTH 55HOUSING 60TRANSPORT AND WORKS 64PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE OF DEVELOPMENT 66

CIVIL, LABOUR & GOVERNANCE ISSUES 71INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING 72LABOUR 72OUR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 73STRENGTHENING THE PUBLIC SECTOR 77LAW AND ORDER 78STRENGTHENING LAW ENFORCEMENT 78GOVERNANCE 82

WHEN IT COMES TO FIXING

OUR ECONOMY AND PUTTING

OUR COUNTRY BACK ON THE

RIGHT TRACK, LEADERSHIP

MATTERS MOST!

Strong Leadership, Strong Economy.

4

These are difficult economic times. Too many Barbadians are hurting. All across our nation, people are struggling to pay their ever increas-ing electricity and water bills. More families than ever before are feeling the strain of ever increasing costs to keep a roof over their head, gas in the tank and food on the table. Regreta-bly, too many of our people are unable to find satisfying, good paying jobs.

While our families are suffering, our current leadership is doing nothing!

This failed and weak government has offered no ideas and no solutions to fix the economic crisis. Weak, they wait for the international community to fix our economic problems for us. That’s not the Barbadian spirit. That’s not the Barbados I know. The Barbados I know is full of intelligent, capable and skilled people who, over the course of several generations, transformed our beloved island into the jewel of the Caribbean. We are awash in potential, but at the current time we are vexed with poor leadership.

5

The Barbados Labour Party features a team of strong and effective leaders with a proven re-cord of creating jobs and uplifting our people. When the BLP left office, Barbados enjoyed the lowest unemployment rate in our history. We created over 30,000 new jobs. Our economy grew by nearly 12% in the last three years of our administration. Back then, things weren’t perfect – no one is perfect but Almighty God – but under the BLP people felt deep in their bones that things in Barbados were good and getting better.

That’s leadership – leadership that delivers jobs and opportu-nities for all Barbadians.

My fellow citizens, the current unelected cap-tain of the SS Barbados is asleep at the wheel. He has offered no ideas and no solutions to the jobs crisis. He has sat idly by while the cost of living skyrocketed. He has presided over the largest increase in debt in our country’s his-tory. And, when the international community deemed our bonds junk, he did nothing.

THAT’S NOT LEADERSHIP, IT IS WEAKNESS.

AT THE ROOT OF THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS IS A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP.

Today, more than ever, we need strong lead-ership that understands how to get Barbados working again, shining again, growing again.

A Better Tomorrow for a Better Barbados – this is our promise, this is our pledge. Under the steady and capable leadership of the Bar-bados Labour Party, our beloved country will once again shine in the warmth of the rising sun.

On February 21st we ask you to vote for the Barbados Labour Party, vote to end the suffer-ing of our families, vote for the competence and leadership that will make our country bet-ter.

HOLD ON BARBADOS - NIGHT IS BREAKING, DAWN IS COMING.

The Rt. Hon. Owen ArthurLeader- Barbados Labour Party

6

From STABILITYto CALAMITY - the DLP Legacy

Today we stand at a most dangerous cross-roads in our national journey.

The elections of 2008 will forever be remem-bered as an occasion when two roads diverged in our journey to development.

Then, the country was on a stable and success-ful path to national development.

We were on our way to achieving the enviable goal of becoming the world’s smallest devel-oped country on the strength of the quality of life of our people. A very human face had been put on our success at national development by the achievement of a rate of unemployment that was tantamount to full employment.

Fourteen years of strong and almost unbroken growth of almost 3% per year had endowed Barbados with a healthy economy. Ours was an economy that really worked. Savings and investments were at record levels. Our enter-

prises were strong and expanding. Our foreign exchange reserves were at levels that put any thought of devaluation firmly behind us. Infla-tion, at 4%, was being tamed.

Government’s fiscal house was in good order, with the realisation of current account sur-pluses, and overall fiscal deficits that were well within international standards of prudence.

Successful policies were being employed to re-form the tax system; to secure our NIS for fu-ture generations; to liberalise telecommunica-tions; and to stimulate strong capital inflows.The social partnership was in full force and held up as a model internationally. The econ-omy was capable of bearing and giving decent wage increases.

Internationally, Barbados had successfully staved off an OECD challenge to its Interna-tional Business Sector, and was the only de-veloping country on the white list of offshore centres.

7

Barbados was also giving effective leadership in the regional effort to create a Caribbean Single Market and Economy.

An active programme to eradicate poverty was in force. New initiatives in respect of Alterna-tive Energy Development and the creation of a Green Economy were unveiled in 2007.

The further development of tertiary educa-tion, as expressed in the goal of one graduate per household, was set as a strategic means by which to sustain the development of our nation.

The fight against HIV/AIDS was receiving lead-ership at the highest level. Initiatives to take Information Technology (IT) to the grassroots, to address the needs of the boys on the block, the physically challenged and our children were fully in force. A world class society that was being chosen as the venue for the staging of global events was the country’s lot.

Crime and violence had significantly been re-duced. Good order and a general environment of stable, orderly and prosperous development prevailed.

Since 2008, under the DLP, Barbados has been made to follow the road least travelled on our journey since independence. It is the road that has taken us from stable, successful develop-ment to calamitous and catastrophic failure.

The fortunes of the economy have been tragi-cally reversed. The economy at the end of 2012 was smaller than it was in 2007. It will remain so in 2013 if the disastrous policies of the DLP continue to be pursued.

Over 16,000 private sector jobs have been lost. Government finances are in rampant disorder, and are incapable of being improved by the policies currently being employed. Our leading sector, Tourism, is in total disarray and declin-ing while our neighbours are thriving.

The cost of living is out of control, with con-sumer prices in Barbados rising three times faster than the average rate in our region.

The crowning economic indignity inflicted upon Barbados by the DLP administration is that it has presided over the downgrading of Barbados’ international credit rate to the sta-tus of Junk, reflecting this Government’s hor-rible mismanagement of its finances and all aspects of the national economy.

A SIMILAR DISMAL TALE OF WOE HAS ATTENDED BARBADOS’ SOCIAL AFFAIRS.

The level of poverty in Barbados has risen from 12% to almost 20% of the population.

Disorder is now rampant in the administra-tion of the education system, as evidenced by the Alexandra School debacle. The DLP has put tertiary education, a bulwark of Barbados’ progress, in peril.

Draconian adjustments to the drug service, and total disorder in the management of the Q.E.H have opened a new dismal chapter in this vital area of national life.

Compounding the widespread economic and social disorder across the land has been the extraordinary deterioration in the quality of governance practices by the DLP.

8

A new lawlessness has been brought to our governance as, in instance after instance, Gov-ernment has been prepared to flout the law.The practice of collective responsibility by Cabinet, essential for stable governance, has been undermined by disorder and conflict among Ministers at the centre of this Cabinet.

The Government has been accused of iner-tia by its own members. Indeed the failure to make timely decisions virtually brought the International Business Sector to a standstill and has left 35,000 investors in CLICO in a dangerous limbo.

Agencies of state, not least the CBC and con-stituency councils have been used for tribal, partisan purposes. The finances of the State have been heavily used to support the partisan political programme of the ruling party.

A new, dangerous consolidation of activity in the country has been promoted by the dis-turbing allocation of projects to a select few.The Judiciary and the Royal Barbados Police Force have been made victims of political in-

terference never before seen in our nation.

The DLP stands guilty of undermining the tra-dition of stability which has mattered so much in creating the climate for orderly and success-ful development in Barbados.

Under the DLP the combination of econom-ic ruin, widespread social disorder and law-less maladministration of the worst kind, has transformed Barbados from a shining example of stable development to a disastrous calam-ity.

The full restoration of the country’s economy, the rebuilding of our social system, and the bringing to bear of a new enlightened mode of Governance are the three imperatives that await the next BLP administration.

Our Pledge. Our Goal.

9

We view our nation as being no less capable than other small, middle income countries, which face the same global conditions as Bar-bados, of finding innovative and successful ways of meeting today’s challenges in a man-ner that will afford our people a better stan-dard of living.

We also believe that this generation of Barba-dians is no less capable than any generation of the past of attending to Barbados’ affairs in a manner that will assure us of successful and civilised national development.

Barbados is a good nation, of good people re-grettably afflicted with a bad government.

We offer the promise and prospect of A BETTER TOMORROW.

We do not look to the rest of the world to solve our problems for us.

We put our trust in the character, the re-sourcefulness and the resilience of the people of Barbados.

We believe that once they are given the lead-ership, inspiration and the material means and incentives, they will provide the energy and driving force to successfully carry out the transformation of our society.

The challenges which now face our nation are undoubtedly the most imposing since inde-pendence.

The strategies, policies and programmes con-tained in this Manifesto reflect the philosophy and the spirit of the Barbados Labour Party which, for almost 75 years, has served our na-tion.

WE MAKE THE DOING OF EXTRAORDINARY THINGS OUR ORDINARY BUSINESS.

We stand ready to once again do extraor-dinary things in Barbados’ best interest.

We are not daunted by the challenges that must be confronted.

10

The transformation of which our nation is ca-pable and which will lead to A BETTER TO-MORROW must begin with the rescue, the re-covery and the revitalisation of our economy.Our people, their talents, their ingenuity and the deployment of their income and their wealth, must be at the centre of the successful transformation on which we must embark.

Barbados must now be made to regain its his-toric nature as an economy which works, is ca-pable of affording its people decent and rising incomes; can pay its way at home and in the world; can attend to the needs of its poor and the vulnerable; and can embrace the change required to succeed in today’s world with con-fidence rather than with despair.

Barbados must once again be made to appear to be a shining city on a hill for the excellent quality of its governance; a strong, stable de-mocracy resting on the rule of law. That is part of our pledge and promise of A BETTER TO-MORROW.

Barbados must once again be made a society which cares; a society whose progress derives from its investment in the education, training and health care of its people above all else.

Our goal is to make Barbados a successful so-ciety; a just society; a society of steadily rising income and wealth, fairly enjoyed by all.

Our goal is to make Barbados once again a society of social and economic opportunity. Above all, we believe that we must create a fu-ture for our children that is better and brighter than that of past generations.

This is our Promise. This is our Pledge.

A VISION FOR BARBADOS In our 2008 manifesto, we offered the people the Vision for Barbados: our strategic vision to transform Barbados by 2025. In 2013, we are more committed than ever before to build a fully developed society that is prosperous, so-cially just and globally competitive.

The fully developed Barbados that weenvision by 2025 will be:

• A society that places people at the centre of development and, through economic enfranchisement offers each and every in-dividual the freedom and opportunity to develop their talents to their full potential.

• A sustainable society that co-exists in har-mony with a beautiful, clean and healthy physical environment and physical infra-structure, and whose people enjoy good health and high life expectancy.

• A society driven primarily by a services economy fuelled by a steady rate of export growth, with a state-of-the-art informa-tion and communications technology infra-structure, a high savings rate, widespread material prosperity, full employment, an equitable distribution of income and wealth and enhanced quality of life.

• A premier world tourism destination and a centre for high quality financial, informa-tion and other services augmented by rein-vigorated manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

• A society symbolized by creativity, innova-tion, industry, productivity, entrepreneur-ship and intellectual excellence, in which all enjoy a rich cultural, social and econom-ic life.

• A society that is an integral part of the Ca-ribbean family of nations.

• A truly literate society whose people are

11

educated, well rounded human beings, pos-sessed of sophisticated skills and so imbued with social justice and equity that no one is left by the wayside.

• A society of religious and enduring moral values, diversity and tolerance, imbued with a strong sense of public spiritedness and an abiding sense of trust and community.

• A fully democratic society with enhanced freedoms and rights for all and governed by the rule of law, in which citizens participate in self governance and enjoy a rewarding public life.

• A society of order, self-discipline and re-spect for law, relatively free from the scourges of illegal drugs, corruption, crime and violence.

12

13

Barbados is caught in a dangerous downward economic spiral which must be checked and reversed as a matter of urgency. This task must be attended to before the country can be placed on a path to growth and develop-ment. It will require measures that go beyond the ordinary.

There must be an extraordinary effort that si-multaneously stimulates exports and domes-tic demand. Our foreign reserves are above the levels required for safety. Barbados’ economic salvation requires that part of those reserves, set aside for a rainy day, must be utilized in our nation’s hour of greatest need without putting the value of the Barbados dollar in peril.

We are satisfied that breaking the downward spiral must be achieved by a judicious mix of measures to get us out of the calamity.

The core policies, the new pillars of growth and development, our sectoral policies and

initiatives as further outlined in this manifesto are intended to be the means by which we will give effect to this strategy.

We attach strategic significance to the mea-sures that put money back in people’s pockets to stimulate domestic economic activity.

We attach special significance to the measures intended to alleviate the burden of the cost of living.

We attach great significance to measures to build a more competitive economy that earns more foreign exchange.

We attach great significance to growing an economy that opens new avenues especially for the youth.

We cannot overemphasize the urgency of re-versing the policies – now shown to be totally counterproductive – that have placed Barba-dos in this peril.

14

It has been the tradition that the cost of living in Barbados rises in line with that of the rest of the world; so it was under the BLP govern-ment. The DLP promised to make the reduc-tion of the cost of living its numbers one, two and three priority. The admission that it did not reduce the cost of living is the most cata-strophic failure of the DLP administration.

In fact, consumer prices have risen by over 30% under the DLP. In recent times, the rise in prices has been three times faster in Barbados than in the rest of the region.

The galloping pace of the price increases has been accompanied by frozen incomes across a large section of workers.

The fact that our cost of living has been rising three times faster than the rest of the region means that the sources of this increase have been domestic and driven in large measure by the policies of this failed government.

It is of special significance that the prices of energy and electricity have been the items that have shown the greatest increase (over 65%), followed by food, where the impact of the counterproductive measures of the gov-ernment have been their most severe.

The BLP accepts that restraining the growth in prices relative to the rest of region must be

the focus of our policies. The policies must be-gin with and centre around the impact of do-mestic policies on the people’s pockets.

AS OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, AN ELECTED BLP GOVERNMENT WILL BRING RELIEF TO EVERY CONSUMER, EVERY HOUSEHOLD AND EVERY BUSINESS IN BARBA-DOS BY CHANGING THE POLICIES PERTAINING TO THE SALE OF FUEL OIL BY THE BARBADOS NATION-AL OIL COMPANY TO BARBADOS LIGHT & POWER THAT HAS LED TO THE RECENT ESCALATION IN THE COST OF ELECTRICITY.

In addition to this first action, the Barbados Labour Party will sustain the fight to control the cost of living.

We Will:• Restore the VAT to 15%. When the DLP in-

creased the VAT from 15 to 17.5%, it prom-ised that it would be a temporary measure. We commit to take it back from 17.5% to 15% immediately on electricity and food.

• Undertake as part of the fight to control the cost of living to systematically phase down the bound rates, especially on food prod-ucts, where there is no competing domestic production to be protected.

• Advance negotiations with our CARICOM partners to continue to reduce the common external tariff where there is no local or re-

15

The complete mismanagement of our public fi-nances is another disastrous part of the record of the DLP. Reckless expenditure on political programmes, and ill-conceived tax policies are responsible for the disaster. The Medium Term Fiscal Strategy efforts to correct the fiscal dis-order FAILED, which contributed to the attain-ment of junk status for Barbados’ credit rating. The restoration of fiscal order and prudence must be pursued in its own right, and to help to establish the conditions for orderly and sta-ble development. The following initiatives will be given priority:

gional production being protected.

• Immediately upon taking office, reduce and eventually remove the cess placed on gasoline and diesel.

• Pass on the benefit of the reduction in du-ties as contained in new trade agreements especially with Europe.

• Strengthen the price monitoring mecha-nism that was put in place prior to 2008 and allow it to become an important part of the effort to control the cost of living.

• FACILITATE THE DEEPENING OF COM-PETITION AMONG ENTERPRISES IN THE DISTRIBUTIVE SECTOR PROVIDED THAT ALL ENTERPRISES ARE ENABLED TO CARRY OUT THEIR INVESTMENTS, SALE AND OPERATIONS FACING THE SAME CONDITIONS.

• The DLP’s Medium Term Fiscal Strategy must be abandoned and replaced by a new strategy that restores balance to the current account and allows for small overall fiscal deficits in order to support the government’s capital development programme.

• In respect of revenue and taxation the counter productivity of the policies of the DLP are borne out by the fact that re-ceipts from the VAT have fallen by 2% and the revenue from income tax has fallen by 10% despite the increase in the rates. This supports the case for the complete rever-sal of the current taxation policies and for the application of a new policy that al-lows for the growth of revenues to come from the growth and expansion of the economy at large rather than the increas-ing of tax rates.

• A pro-growth tax reform programme, as spelt out in this Manifesto, must replace the current policies of the DLP.

• The DLP proposed that the increase in the value added tax from 15% to 17.5% should be temporary. We believe that this pledge should be honoured. We propose to allow the VAT to go back to 15% on a phased basis, beginning with electricity, food and tourism. Hotel accommodation will revert to 7.5%.

• The BLP acknowledges that an impor-tant aspect of the restoration of fiscal or-der and prudence must entail the proper management of public expenditure.

• AS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE, ANY PROGRAMME OF EXPENDITURE MAN-AGEMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE POOR, SENIOR CITIZENS AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AND THOSE HAV-ING SPECIAL NEEDS MUST AND WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO CRITICAL PUBLIC SERVICES.

16

Historically, tax incentives have been a power-ful way to encourage enterprises and individu-

• We will seek to manage the public expen-ditures by introducing administrative re-forms and improving the use of information technology by government departments as a means of reducing the cost of delivery of public services.

• THE BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY RECOG-NIZES THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STATE ENTERPRISES THAT ARE PROVID-ING CRITICAL SOCIAL SERVICES. THESE INCLUDE THE TRANSPORT BOARD, HEALTH CARE INSTITUTIONS AND OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM. THE BLP

WILL NOT SELL ANY SUCH INSTITU-TIONS.

• We acknowledge, however, that such en-terprises can be run in a more efficient way in order to reduce the extent to which they rely on state subsidies.

• The Barbados Labour Party will assume of-fice with a DLP programme of privatiza-tion planned and announced, and already in place to sell government’s commercial enterprises.

• The BLP successfully used Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to finance capital pro-grammes that have historically been done by the state. We will make increasing use of PPPs in capital programmes to support economic growth in a manner that does not add to the size of Government’s debt.

als to grow. Over the last five years, the DLP administration has discouraged growth and transformation with excessive taxation that virtually wrecked our economy, and created a new class of poverty – the working poor.

A comprehensive programme of tax relief and incentives is now necessary to help restore economic growth, improve people’s income and wealth, and open new opportunities for development and transformation. Growth cannot be restored to our economy in the absence of a programme of domestic stimu-lation, which means improving the purchas-ing power of every Barbadian. WE MUST PUT MONEY IN PEOPLE’S POCKETS.

Over the next five year period, a BLP Gov-ernment proposes a properly structured and phased programme of tax relief and reform.

We will:• Restore the tax exemption on entertain-

ment and travelling allowances.• Increase the land tax exemption thresh-

old to $200,000 which will remove 18,000 property owners from the payment of the tax.

• Allow home owners liable to land tax to pay on 50% of the improved value. This benefit is now available to pensioners.

• Introduce a middle-income tax band that applies a 25% marginal tax rate to taxable income between 35,001 and 50,000.

• Increase the reverse tax credit to $1,500 for persons earning $20,000 or less.

• Increase personal income tax allowance for pensioners to $50,000.

• UNDER THE EXISTING TAX SYSTEM, IN-DIVIDUALS ARE PROVIDED WITH A BA-SIC ALLOWANCE OF $25,000, A HOME

17

It will give the larger percentage increase to those at the bottom, with the understanding that those who pay income tax will benefit both from a wage increase and the tax relief contained in this manifesto.

In the PRIVATE SECTOR, there is a need to de-vise and implement sector-specific incomes policies which relate future changes in wages to levels of productivity in the respective sec-tors. This approach should be supplemented by Employee Share Ownership Options and other such instruments that can help to spur efficiency while at the same time supplement-ing the income and wealth of employees.

Energy Pricing Policy –A New DealOver the past five years, we have witnessed the destructive effects of an unwise energy pricing policy that fuelled high inflation, increased the cost of doing business and retarded economic growth.

We will:• Immediately upon attaining office, reduce

and eventually remove the cess placed on gasoline and diesel.

• Reduce the Value Added Tax on electricity bills.

• Mandate the Barbados National Oil Com-pany Limited to charge the Barbados Light and Power Co. Ltd fuel oil at production cost or purchase price plus a small mark-up from both locally produced or import-ed product.

• As soon as practical reduce the excise tax on gasoline to carry it back to its former level.

• Amend the Transport Board Act to allow it to legally sell diesel to Public Service ve-hicles at special rates.

ALLOWANCE, ALLOWANCES FOR SAV-INGS AND ALLOWANCES TO ENCOUR-AGE THEM TO INVEST. WE BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD ADD TO THIS BY PROVID-ING ALLOWANCES TO PEOPLE TO BET-TER PROVIDE FOR THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR HEALTH-CARE.

• Introduce a Health Allowance of $10,000 which can be used for care of the elderly, medical and drug bills, health insurance, registered health plans and membership at qualifying gyms.

• Allow the full contribution to a registered savings plan up to a limit of $10,000 per year as an allowance; only the withholding tax on interest is currently allowed.

• Introduce a regime where earning foreign exchange will attract the same rate of taxes as International Business Companies in such areas as sports, culture, entertain-ment, among others – as we seek to build an economy for our young people.

AN INCOMES POLICYThe punitive fiscal policies of the current DLP government have contributed to a significant increase in payroll costs, which has negatively affected the future viability of the private sec-tor.

An admirable restraint exhibited by all con-cerned, during the height of the crisis to virtu-ally freeze wages, is however unsustainable.

IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, THERE HAS BEEN NO WAGE SETTLEMENT SINCE 2008. THE BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY COMMITS TO A PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE SETTLEMENT, AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.

A New ICT Platform

18

The global economy is being tranformed by the application of Information and Communi-cation Technologies (ICT). Barbados too has an opportunity to become a major business hub, by improving its competetiveness through in-novation and increased business efficency. But critical policies drafted since 2008 such as the ‘Data Protection Bill’ and ‘Number Portabilty’ needed to take advantage of ICT have stalled because of the inertia of the DLP government.

As a consequence, our regional counterparts are capitalising on the latest technology and are expanding business opportunities and at-tracting new foreign direct investment.

Between 1998 and 2008, the BLP Government began the liberalization of the telecommuni-cation sector to provide our people and busi-nesses with greater choice, lower cost and a better quality of service.

We need a fresh set of initiatives in this field to jump start the Barbados economy.

We will:• Facilitate the provision of affordable

broadband and high speed internet access across the length and breadth of Barbados.

• Work with the banking community to ex-pand the scope for e-Commerce andmo-bile commerce.

• Centralise the various fragmented ICT re-lated departments into one responsible authority.

• Expand the current portal connecting all government agencies and Ministries and create alternative ways to access Govern-ment services using ICT including mobile networks.

• Encourage the installation of Internet Ex-change Points (IXP) to create data transfer points in an effort to reduce the delivery costs of Internet services to the consumer, reduce foreign exchange loss and provide a more robust and reliable local and re-gional network.

• Fully support private sector initiatives, such as the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation in facilitating the provision of free Wi-Fi access across the island.

• Create an appropriate national Cyber Se-curity Strategy including government and civil society so we are able to truly protect our digital borders.

• Establish a Computer Emergency Response Team, now a common practice across the world to ensure the continuity of our coun-try’s operation.

• Create an Innovation Park to accommo-date software development, advanced

19

research, specialised training initiatives, and local-global partnerships that provide new opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

• Establish training facilities as ‘ICT Centres of Excellence’ that partner with interna-tional ICT institutions to prepare our citi-zens for a new digital workforce.

A concerted programme to facilitate business and investment is the path to future growth and development of the Barbados economy. The programme must be user friendly, while removing the deficiencies in the processes, services, policy and legal framework, that af-fect the formation and operation of business.

This is the way to achieve international best practice in respect of business and investment in building a stronger and more competitive economy.

We will:• Devise in consultation with the Social Part-

ners a National programme to remove the

NEW APPROACHESTO BUSINESS ANDINVESTMENT FACILITATION

constraints to doing business in Barbados.• Provide a facilitating environment in all

regulatory agencies dealing with domestic and international business.

• Establish, within 6 months, a full interac-tive IT platform for the corporate registry.

• Streamline the incorporation process (electronically) with the Corporate Affairs and Intellectual Property Office (CAIPO) to allow for the complete incorporation of a company within 24 hours

• Reduce the cost of incorporation to 100 dollars to encourage more Barbadian busi-ness to incorporate and receive benefits from the formal economy.

• Streamline the issuance of the internation-al business licence from the Ministry of In-ternational Business to within 3 days.

FLEXIBLE LAND USE POLICY A PHYSICAL PLANNING SYSTEM THAT IS EFFECTIVE AND SEEN TO OPERATE IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR, OPEN AND AC-COUNTABLE TO ALL BARBADIANS IS A MUST. SUCH A SYSTEM CAN BALANCE THE NEEDS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT WITH THE NEED TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL AND HISTORIC CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT. THE SYSTEM MUST HAVE THE PUBLIC’S CONFIDENCE.

20

STIMULATING PRIVATECAPITAL INFLOWS

Resources will be provided to finish prepara-tion of an updated Physical Development Plan that will receive parliamentary approval with-in two years.

The new plan will look forward to 2020. Once approved, progress will be monitored through an annual report to Parliament. A process for five-yearly review and roll-forward will be put in place.

We will make the development controlprocess open and accountable:• All applications will be advertised on the

internet and issued to the press • Neighbours and other interested parties

will be able to comment on applications • All decisions will be published on the inter-

net and made available to the press• Hearings on major applications and ap-

peals will be open to the public • Ministerial decisions will be published and

reasons given for both approvals and re-fusals.

Much of this can be introduced quickly with amendments to the Town and Country Plan-ning (TCP) Act and comprehensive reform or TCP Regulations to facilitate our development in sustainable manner.

Chief among these policies will be:• The use of business and investment facili-

tation measures that draw upon interna-tional best practices and help boost inves-tor confidence in the national economy.

• Making prudent amendments to the re-gime governing the attraction of high-net-worth individuals to remove the unneces-sary hindrances and constraints which are currently built into that regime.

• To carry out a programme to aggressively remove exchange controls from all capital transactions.

• Implementing a sensitive immigration pol-icy that creates a more welcoming envi-ronment for persons investing in Barbados and removes the hiatuses that currently plague the process.

• Creating new arrangements whereby per-sons investing in Barbados can have clarity regarding their access to high-quality so-cial services in our country.

Robust old and new sources of private capital inflows are needed to rejuvenate the economy. This requires finding a combination of policies to create an environment in which Barbados can once again attract capital inflows, espe-cially to fund projects such as the Four Sea-sons project.

21

We will focus on three main areas of action reflecting the charter of the Barbados Entre-preneurship Foundation. These are: 1) Finance and Investment, 2) Education and Training and 3) Business Facilitation.

We are committed to reducing the burden of red tape by reviewing regulations to ensure that they are appropriate to serve the purpos-es for which they were passed without creat-ing additional costs and bureaucracy. We ac-cept that the government must play a major role in the mobilization of capital. It is critical that our educational system plays its part in reinforcing the basics of entrepreneurship so that our students enter adulthood with the skills needed to successfully start their own businesses.

Across this manifesto, we have addressed key initiatives that will create this platform of partnership so that we work together as a na-tion to achieve this noble objective.

Barbados’ future development will rest heavily upon the fostering of an entrepreneurial culture. To this end, the Government of Barbados has partnered with the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation to achieve the goal of making Barbados the #1 entrepreneurial hub in the world by 2020. We will work across all sectors to play our role in attaining this goal.

VENDINGThe BLP recognises that the entrepreneurial spirit has perhaps best been exhibited through the decades from our vending class. Vending has been the bedrock for thousands of Barba-dian families. It is as noble a profession as any other.

Unfortunately, many vendors are stigmatized and harassed while only trying to earn an hon-est living to provide for their families.

THE BLP WILL AMEND OUR LAWS SO AS TO STOP UNREGULATED VENDING FROM BEING A CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

We accept that there must be regulation, but this is an appropriate area for civil regulation – not a criminal conviction. The BLP will work with the vending community to identify ad-ditional locations where the vending and craft communities may ply their trades.

22

• Transformation of Enterprises through the installation of Information Communica-tion Technology (ICT).

• The establishment of a cyber park.• Transformational capital projects under-

taken by the Government of Barbados.

FINANCE FOR THE NEW ECONOMYMany of the non traditional areas that Barba-dos must concentrate to restructure and grow the economy face the constraint that there is insufficient capital. Indeed many of the per-sons with capacity in these areas are young people with limited financial resources. This is especially so in the area of IT, gaming, soft-ware development, animation and film and other areas of the creative economy. These are high risk endeavours and very often are not considered favourably by the traditional com-mercial banking sector.

There is a need for loans to be granted on a contingency recovery basis given these high risks.

We will:• Recapitalise the Innovation Fund with $20

million to be managed by the Enterprise Growth Fund Limited.

BROADENING ACCESS BYENLIVENING OUR SECONDARY MARKETSAs a result of neglect since 2008 there has been no major programme to deepen the capi-tal markets in Barbados.

The BLP will introduce measures to create a junior stock exchange to raise capital for in-vestment in small companies.

MICRO LEASINGMicro and Small businesses can improve their

FINANCIAL INNOVATIONThere is no shortage of savings and money in the Barbadian economy.

The financial sector has high levels of excess liquidity. This along with the large and grow-ing surpluses of the NIS constitute a pool of capital that must be used responsibly to ac-celerate the country’s development.

We feel that the following initiatives are essential:

INTEREST RATE DEREGULATIONAs part of A Better Tomorrow, we must better mobilise the billions of dollars idly sitting on deposits at banks earning scant interest. This will require deregulating the minimum deposit rate and using the treasury-bill rate as a signal.

NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION FUNDThe Barbados Labour Party recognizes the need to ensure that there is access to capital for businesses and for the Government to lead the reconstruction of this economy and the return to growth.

The BLP will establish a National Re-construction Fund to be managed by the Enterprise Growth Fund, Ltd. This Fund will not lend where commercial banks are already lending.

The National Infrastructure Fund’s areas of focus will be:• Our mature tourism product and under-

capitalized locally owned hotels.• Private sector green projects – solar and

wind.

23

cash flow by leasing rather than purchasing equipment.

The BLP will introduce a regime of micro leas-ing where micro and small businesses may be able to access at affordable rates (through lease) equipment that is critical to their opera-tions for the period of time needed.

STRENGTHENING OUR CREDIT UNIONSWe want to take the development of the credit union movement to a higher level. The surplus of funds should be used to rebuild of enter-prises as we move to restore growth to this economy.

We will:• Encourage and Facilitate credit unions

establishing mutual investment funds to broaden their investment capability to in-vest in local commercial enterprises with the benefit of diversifying their risks.

CREDIT CARD AND BANK CHARGESThere has been an outcry from consumers over the fees charged by Banks. In addition, interest rates on credit cards are high. There is a need to ensure greater equity in the relationship.

A BLP government will:•EnsurethatthereisgreateroversightbytheCentral Bank and Financial Services Commis-sion (FSC) over the charges from banks and other financial institutions to their customers.•Regulateinterestratechargesforcreditcardto ensure they are not excessive.

REVERSE MORTGAGESThe BLP will introduce the legal and regula-tory framework for the introduction of reverse mortgages, which will allow pensioners to raise a lump sum on the basis of the property owned by them and to allow them to live out their days in dignity. The sum lent will be se-cured by the property.

24

25

Yet, as the country’s number one industry lurches perilously close to the edge, the DLP government has so ordered its priorities as to allocate millions of dollars to non-develop-mental political programmes and failed ex-periments (including the badly planned and executed attempt at diversifying our tourism into the Brazilian market) while the Barbados Tourism Authority has remained constantly cash-strapped, starved of funds and suffering the indignity of being unable to pay its credi-tors even after being forced to borrow millions from the National Insurance Scheme.

To be sure, the high operating costs which already had to be incurred by those making capital investment in the accommodation sec-tor in Barbados have been made worse by the fiscal and other macroeconomic policies that have been employed over the last five years, especially the increases in VAT and energy costs that were imposed on the sector.

It is also regrettable that, at a time when the industry as a mature industry needed capac-ity improvement and product diversification, almost all of the new investments that were on stream or planned to refresh or expand the productive capacity of the sector have not been realized.

Because of such adverse developments, the Barbados tourism industry under the DLP is rapidly moving from the status of a mature in-dustry to that of an aging and decrepit sector, with dire consequences for its future.

The last five years represent a sordid chapter in the life of our tourism and hospitality sector.

After achieving record levels of long-stay ar-rivals and earnings from the sector in 2007, the total lack of leadership for the sector and the punitive policies of the DLP administration have so devastated the industry that last year, once again, saw less tourists coming to Barba-dos than came in the year 2000.

Perhaps the most startling revelation is to be found in the latest published data of the Ca-ribbean Tourism Organisation which places Barbados in the 22nd position, third from the bottom, of the 24 countries in the region.

These countries all face largely the same mar-ket conditions as Barbados does but many of them, perhaps for the very first time in his-tory, are outperforming us and seeing positive growth in their tourist arrivals at a time when activity in our sector has plunged by six (6) per cent.

THE MARKETING AND THE DEVELOP-MENT OF OUR TOURISM AND HOS-PITALITY INDUSTRY ARE SO IMPOR-TANT WITHIN THE OVERALL SCHEME OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT THEY MUST ENJOY FIRST CLAIM ON THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AVAIL-ABLE TO THE STATE.

26

quately perform the usual lead-role in relation to its contribution to output, employment and foreign exchange generation. In order for Tour-ism to lead us out of this morass, there must a clear commitment that this sector must have first claim on government financial resources as the principle driver of the Barbados econo-my. This vital sector must never be starved of funds nor can there ever be a deficit relating to the implementation of policy regarding this sector’s success.

Accordingly, a BLP administration commits itself to reversing the punitive measures im-posed on the sector over the last five years and will undertake the following activities in a number of key tourism areas as part of the strategy for the development of the sector.

Financing, Investment& IncentivesWe will:• Provide the sector with the first claim on

Government’s revenues, and fully fund the marketing programme of the BTA.

• Review and adjust the tariff and tax struc-tures, including the Value Added Tax re-gime, as well as the legislative regime governing the sector to make them more conducive to attracting and facilitating private sector investment for the develop-ment of the sector.

• Immediately decrease the amount of VAT paid on accommodation from the present 8.75 per cent to the original 7.5 per cent thereby removing the cloud of uncertainty that looms over the accommodation sub-sector in relation to the increase in VAT lev-ied on them “until further notice.

• Alleviate the recent stiff increases in utility and energy costs imposed on the accom-modation sector by the DLP administration

Never before has our tourism and hospitality industry been in such a perilous and calami-tous state. The situation is aggravated by the fact that all the other major productive sec-tors are facing conditions that have weakened and restrained their ability to contribute to Barbados’ economic recovery.

To reverse this troubling trend, the perfor-mance of the sector must exceed the histori-cal average, to allow activity in this one area where our economic potential is greatest to compensate for deficiencies in other sectors, and in so doing to drag the entire economy out of its present doldrums.

To this end we must revive the Five Star Tour-ism Industry we once had. We must encour-age the influx of luxury brands, and private long term capital inflows in general, to support capacity development in the sector.

At the same time, assistance must be rendered to small and medium-sized businesses in the sector, most of whom find it a challenge to ac-cess financing on terms and conditions condu-cive to the viability of projects even at a time when there is excess liquidity in the local fi-nancial sector.THE MAIDS, WAITERS, TAXI DRIVERS, SMALL FARMERS AND MANY OTHERS WHO SERVICE THE INDUSTRY AND WHO NOW FIND THEMSELVES ON THE BREADLINE OR ON “ONE-DAY AND TWO-DAY WEEKS” DE-SERVE TO BENEFIT FROM POLICIES THAT PUT THEM BACK IN FULL TIME AND RE-WARDING EMPLOYMENT.

As such, only a series of extraordinary mea-sures will suffice to enable the sector to ade-

27

and reduce the amounts paid by the sub-sector for utilities.

• Reduce the bound rates on commodities used by the hospitality industry and en-tirely phase out the very high bound rates where there is no local production being protected.

• Support the Staycation programme by granting a Staycation Tax Rebate, as a tem-porary measure, until the sector regains its external vibrancy. This will encourage for-eign exchange retention by the economy at large and improve the financial position of the industry.

• Float a special Tourism Development Bond to be managed within the National Re-construction Fund, by tapping into non-traditional funding from regional and international bodies, to assist with the de-velopment of Barbados’ guest room capac-ity, including the small hotel sub-sector.

• Work with existing national financial insti-tutions to create more merchant banking and venture capital solutions to amplify funding opportunities for all segments of the sector.

• Partner with the private sector to develop new investment projects and further im-prove facilities and the general ambiance of key tourism areas, including the City, The Needhams Point area, St. Lawrence Gap, Oistins, Speightstown and non-tradi-tional areas, including Bathsheba and the North and North Eastern areas of Barba-dos generally.

• Encourage, promote and facilitate tour-ism development that is fully accessible to physically challenged users.

• Create and fully develop alternative tour-ism niches and products including Health

and Wellness, Retirement and Education tourism and diversify other existing mar-ket segments.

• Revise the schedule to the Tourism Devel-opment Act to encourage greater invest-ment and reinvestment in accommodation and attractions.

Marketing &Product DevelopmentWe will: • Restructure the Barbados Tourism Author-

ity in such a way as to facilitate and benefit from the full involvement of the private sector in all aspects of the promotion and marketing of Barbados’ tourism industry.

• Give product development the same im-portance and attention as marketing.

• Ensure that Barbados is once again pro-moted and marketed as a high quality des-tination;

• Develop a joint venture public-private partnership for the development of a digi-tal online strategy. This will enable the tourism industry to identify, communi-cate, and close online sales with potential visitors and achieve wider distribution of Barbados’ tourism product.

Community TourismWe will: • Encourage the registration of approved

community tourism business ventures with a view to providing assistance in areas of training, technical assistance and incen-tives.

Cruise TourismWe will:• Initiate discussions with our regional part-

ners with a view to having the region take a

28

stake in the ownership of the cruise sector and thereby maximize the benefits of the sub-sector to the region.

• Maintain and strengthen Barbados’ posi-tion as a leading homeport and port of call in the Caribbean by developing links be-tween Barbados and other emerging mar-kets.

• Redevelop the Princess Alice Highway and surrounding areas to create additional op-portunities for employment, to increase revenue and expand the range of ameni-ties available to visitors.

AviationWe will:• Initiate discussions on the review of the

CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agree-ment to encourage the growth of air ser-vices in the region and a more competitive airline industry.

• Implement an air services development strategy and a blueprint for the opening and development of new routes from ex-isting and emerging markets, including the implementation of marketing and promo-tional support to secure viable air services opportunities.

• Develop a new modern air cargo facility and implement a 24-hour customs cargo operation to improve the airport clearance of merchandise and operational efficien-cies.

• Develop a new cruise centre at GAIA to facilitate the growth of the fly/cruise pro-gramme and to alleviate congestion in the main terminal.

• Conduct continuous monitoring of service quality at GAIA to improve delivery of ser-

vices to passengers.• Implement the necessary consumer pro-

tection regulations to ensure that the trav-elling public is protected against unfair commercial behaviour by airlines.

• Further diversify existing source markets and market segments for visitors while engaging in prudent joint marketing with airlines and other travel partners to boost arrivals to the island.

• When possible, review existing agree-ments with carriers, particularly in relation to revenue guarantee agreements, and in-stitute new transport arrangements with airlines with regard to air services agree-ments. The current policy has been a bur-den and embarrassment to Barbados. Our nation deserves better.

The International Business Sector - Realising the PotentialOur most underutilised potential to create strong growth is our International Business and Financial Services Industry.

THE INERTIA, INEPTITUDE, INDECISION AND INCOMPETENT MANAGEMENT OF THE SECTOR UNDER THE DEMOCRATIC LA-BOUR PARTY HAS RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF $1 BILLION DOLLARS IN INVESTMENT INCOME AND 2,700 POTENTIAL JOBS FOR BARBADIANS.

The sector itself has been assaulted by a vari-ety of external challenges which required nim-ble, assertive, and meaningful responses from the Barbados Government but which have not been forthcoming.

Among the challenges we have faced, were changes by the Revenue Authorities in Cana-da to their tax structures, so as to extend the

29

We believe that diversifying our product mix is an indispensable component of any effort to realise the fullest potential of the Interna-tional Business Sector. This enhances country’s offerings to potential investors.

To this end, we propose that a fresh suite of products and services be created in previously under exploited and under developed areas of commercial opportunity. In this regard em-phasis will be placed on bio-sciences, medical transcription, corporate headquartering, com-munications technology, the creative industry and trade in international securities.

The new generation of Trade and Economic Agreements which arose when we negotiated a trade and economic partnership with Europe potentially allows us to both increase and di-versify our trade in services with that conti-nent. That we have not enjoyed the benefits of such expanded and diversified trade with Europe and our other major trading partners is testimony to the extent to which the DLP government has failed us.

The rescue of the International Business sector will therefore require the strategic leveraging of the new advantages presented to us in the network of trade and economic partnership agreements to which Barbados is party.

We will:• Aggressively exploit the programme of

development cooperation built into the Economic Partnership Agreement with Eu-rope.

• Establish Barbados as a centre of Excel-

same status and benefits to Countries with whom no double taxation agreement existed as were previously extended to Barbados ex-clusively.

Additionally, the amendment of the China Barbados Double Taxation Agreement com-promised many of the benefits we previously enjoyed while doing business with that juris-diction.

Finally, the OECDs negative listing of Barbados tarnished our reputation as a jurisdiction with whom it was possible to conduct transparent business.

Any sector as important as international business must clearly be rescued and a plan must be implemented to take advantage of the revenue and employment potential it of-fers. The time is now upon us to transform the fortunes of the international business sector and to mount a mission to rescue it from the downward spiral into which it has slipped. To achieve this mission, a new BLP administration will aggressively implement policies concen-trated in the following areas:

1. Diversification of our product mix and our promotion and marketing.

2. Reducing the cost and increasing the ease of doing business in Barbados.

3. Strengthening of our Treaty network and Treaty negotiating capacity in the areas of Double Taxation Agreements and Bilateral Investment Treaties.

4. Develop a Programme to make indig-enous service providers to become an increasingly large component of in-ternational business in Barbados.

30

lence/Premier location for the conduct of International Business, Financial Services and Wealth Management.

• Devise a creative range of investment products and services geared towards in-creasing the trading activity and improving the financial liquidity of our resident en-terprises.

• Prioritise the creation of an International Securities Market, in Barbados.

• Establish the research capacity to identify opportunities, continuously monitor glob-al trends and disseminate timely cost ben-efit analysis on products to stakeholders.

COST AND EASEOF DOING BUSINESSThe Barbados Labour Party believes that ef-ficiency, accessibility, affordability, and trans-parency of services must lie at the core of Bar-bados’ reputation as an international business sector.

In 2007, the Barbados Labour Party amended the International Business Act CAP 77 to pro-tect the public interest where we facilitate the expedited approval of licenses to interna-tional business companies. This was achieved by empowering the Minister to revoke any license where the applicant failed to provide full and frank disclosure to regulatory authori-ties. Regrettably, the ineptitude and sloth of the current DLP administration has resulted in the underutilisation of this enabling envi-

ronment which was intended to expedite the procedures for application and approval. This state of affairs is a hindrance to the conduct of business in Barbados and must be arrested and urgently reversed.

We will:• Provide a facilitating environment in all

regulatory agencies dealing with domestic and information technology business.

• Establish a business facilitation unit within the office of Prime Minister.

• Establish a fully interactive information technology platform for the Corporate Registry.

• Streamline the incorporation process elec-tronically with the office of Corporate Af-fairs and Intellectual Property to complete the incorporation of a company within twenty-four hours.

• Streamline the issuance of the internation-al business license from the Financial Ser-vices Commission within a period of three days.

• Remove the requirement to issue an an-nual physical renewal to an international Business Company (IBC) or Society with Restricted Liability (SRL).

• Ensure the fullest use of IC Technology platforms by government departments/regulatory agencies so as to better facili-tate business by electronic filings of appli-cations and electronic receipt of approv-als.

• Identify and remove bottlenecks and ob-stacles in order to accelerate timelines for action by regulatory authorities.

• Undertake further investment to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the Corpo-rate Registry and Immigration Depart-ment.

31

STRENGTHENINGOUR TREATY NETWORKPrior to being ravaged by the misdirection of the Democratic Labour Party, the Barbados In-ternational Business Sector contributed over 62% of the revenues collected from this Is-land’s corporation tax and employed approxi-mately 3,000 people. That success was built largely on the conclusion of Tax Treaties with a number of countries.

It is necessary to build upon those achieve-ments by forming new strategic alliances in key target markets and expanding the Barba-dos plaques and investment negotiating team.

We will:•Establishastandingcommitteeoflegalad-visors to review the entire suite of legislation that governs the operations of the Interna-tional Business sector specifically, and the body of commercial law generally, in order to ensure that we are nimble enough to main-tain the provision of exciting products which meet the needs of the International Market Place while also ensuring that our legislation remains compatible with globally accepted regulatory standards.

• Substantially increase and broaden Barba-dos’ Treaty network on Trade and Economic Development Agreements, International Tax and Bilateral Investment Treaties.• Establish Barbados as a domicile of choicefor the widest possible cross-section of coun-tries across the globe. In so doing, we shall create a dedicated presence in the capitals of high growth countries with whom we have not traditionally sought to build partnerships. Additionally, a special focus will be placed on targeting the Middle East and Africa as apotential market for Barbados in the medium term through the initial strengthening of our diplomatic relations.•RepositionBarbadosas abusinessgatewayof choice to the Latin America & Chinese mar-kets.• Foster a culture of close collaboration andmutual understanding on key issues affecting the sector by inviting stakeholders to sit on inter-departmental committees. Such levels of participation and cooperation will become increasingly important as Barbados prepares to undergo phase II of the OECD GLOBALFORUM ASSESSMENT.•StrengtheninstitutionssuchasInvestBarba-dos in order to better equip them to market Barbados and its DTA and BIT Treaty network. •LeverageBarbados’reputationasajurisdic-tion based on the rule of law with a view to hav-ing our strong traditions and legal reputation be the foundation for establishing Barbados as a reputable Centre for International Com-mercial Arbitration given the International Arbitration Act that the BLP passed in 2007.

32

Diversifying Developing and Fostering the International Competitiveness of Barbados’ Services Sector

The BLP is satisfied that any mission to rescue the International Business Sector and bring about a transformation of its fortunes must involve solutions that centre around what Barbados has to offer to the world and what needs to be done during this recessionary pe-riod to make strategic changes which can ef-fect positive growth in the sector.

The answer to these challenges lies in our abil-ity to maximise the production and export of higher quality, better priced and more com-petitive modern services.

We will:• Support the UWI and Barbados Commu-

nity College in establishing and providing programmes which support the Interna-tional Financial Services and Export Sec-tors.

• Support and fully fund the Redevelopment

Programme of the Barbados Coalition of Service Industries.

• ENSURE THAT REGISTERED SERVICE PROVIDERS SELLING SERVICES ABROAD ARE TAXED AT THE RATE OF 1½% IN A MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE EX-ISTING INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SECTOR.

Agricultural Development -A New Remit Recovery from the devastation which the Dem-ocratic Labour Party has inflicted on Barbados requires an immediate economic programme to ensure steps be taken to rescue Agriculture and to ensure that all sectors of the economy are ”firing on all cylinders”.

The most recent report of the Central Bank clearly shows that the decline of the agri-cultural sector continues and that in 2012 its output had declined by 2%.

There must be a new remit for Agriculture and measures must be put in place to reverse that downward spiral and to increase its contribu-tion to the growth and development of the country.

On the domestic side, the country is faced with an increasing food import bill. It is now in excess of $600M and will continue to rise unless a serious effort is made to bring an end to that unacceptable situation.

Since 2006, the farming community in col-laboration with the Barbados Labour Adminis-tration, developed a food security plan which, when fully implemented, will see Barbados self-sufficient in most commodities and pro-ducing much more in the few cases where it cannot be self-sufficient.

33

The attainment of food security and food safety will therefore be the principle objective for Barbados of a new Barbados Labour Party government.

There is also still the opportunity for Barbados to expand its exports by addressing standards and supply capacity issues.

The Barbados Labour Partycommits itself to the following:FOOD SECURITY• All evidence shows that the single greatest

threat to a successful agricultural sector is “PRAEDIAL LARCENY”.

• We will update our legislation on Praedial larceny to ensure that it satisfies the re-quirements of our agricultural sector, in-cluding providing for stiffer penalties.

• Assured access to land must be a key com-ponent of an agricultural resuscitation policy

• The Physical Development Plan will con-tinue to be the guide for the use of agri-cultural land and the Private Sector will be expected to assist Government in making sure that such land is not alienated from agriculture.

• Since economic activity thrives best in an atmosphere where there is legislative cer-tainty, a new Agricultural Development Act will be put in place, as has been done for tourism and manufacturing. Within the context of this Act, we will expand the greater use of incentives to spur the utili-sation of technology in this sector.

• The NEW AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT ACT will make provision for the appoint-

ment of a Revitalisation Agricultural Com-mission, to develop and oversee the imple-mentation of a rescue plan for agriculture.

• We will seek to provide a guaranteed mar-ket for local produce by ensuring that Gov-ernment agencies purchase at least 60% of local produce.

• The Agricultural Development Fund (ADF) will be recapitalised in order to assist farm-ers who need finance for various ventures.

• We will provide financing opportunities for the smaller farmers who do not have ac-cess to the ADF.

• The Scotland District Authority will be al-lowed to function in order to ensure that the area is made for persons to live and for agricultural and other economic activity to take place

• We will implement the proposal to estab-lish a Milk Board in light of the present im-passe.

• THE PROGRAMME ‘LAND FOR THE LANDLESS” WHICH THE BLP STARTED DURING ITS LAST TERM WILL BE EX-PANDED IN ORDER TO FACILITATE THE LARGE NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN FARMING BUT HAVE NO ACCESS TO LAND.

AGRICULTURAL HEALTHAND FOOD SAFETY• The Barbados Labour Party will complete

the work which it started on the establish-ment of the Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority.

• We had negotiated a project with the IADB to upgrade all government laboratories.

34

Unfortunately that project was allowed by the current DLP administration to lapse. We give our commitment to restarting and completing that work which will provide the capacity to determine the quality of both imports and exports.

Youth in Agriculture• Initiatives which started under the previ-

ous BLP administration to train the youth in the utilisation of modern agricultural technologies will be re-started.

• Appropriate technical and marketing in-telligence will be provided to all farmers but particularly the smaller farmers.

Resuscitation ofthe Sugar IndustryThe sugar industry continues to decline every year and has now reached the stage where this year’s crop is expected to be the lowest in our history. We are prepared to rescue it because of its importance in several ways.

However, some changes have to be made:1. We no longer have enough canes to sup-

port the continuation of two factories. We will rationalise the structure of the indus-try by having one factory.

2. We will increase the yield per acre by plant-ing new varieties of canes.

3. We must go back to the project which was designed to produce branded sugar only for domestic uses and exports, the genera-tion of electricity, ethanol, high grade mo-lasses for the rum industry and syrup for use in the local drinks and food industry.

Support for the Rum IndustryA new Barbados Labour Party Government will

provide leadership to the efforts to protect the regional rum industry from the unfair compe-tition which is resulting from the granting of subsidies by the USA to certain of our com-petitors.

FisheriesThe work which started under the previous BLP administration on the upgrade of our fish markets and landing sites will be resumed in order to bring them to the stage where they can meet international standards to enable us to export to the EU and other jurisdictions.

Fairchild Street MarketWe will continue with our original plans to build a new market at Fairchild Street and to upgrade the other markets.

Development ofThe Scotland District

The Barbados Labour Party was com-mitted to spending $35,000,000.00 on stabilizing the Scotland District and established by statute, a new Scotland District Authority in 2007. This plan has been abandoned by this DLP administration.

There are a number of irresistible arguments for the stabilization of the Scotland District. Firstly, it constitutes 1/7th of Barbados’ land mass. It is an area that is ripe for sensible and innovative agriculture given its high annual rainfall. It is also a vital pillar in Barbados’ tour-ism product. Stabilization of the Scotland Dis-trict will therefore allow us to maximize our use of our scarce land resources.

Secondly, such stabilization will permit exist-

35

ing residents and land owners to continue to reside in the Scotland District, thereby reduc-ing the pressure for even more housing in the other areas of Barbados that are already very heavily populated.

Thirdly, not to stabilize the Scotland District will see residents of this area moving to other parts of Barbados. Any such abandonment of the District would result in the death of these rural communities, with the resulting demise of churches, shops, and even our rural schools.

Fourthly, if the Scotland District is not stabi-lized the property values in the area will plum-met while the cost of property insurance will rise This will be a dis-incentive to individuals who would otherwise wish to build and live in the area as they will not realize the full value of their real estate investment.

Our rural network of roads and bridges is also under serious threat as the result of slippage. If this is not quickly addressed, access to this most picturesque part of Barbados by Barbadi-ans and visitors will become problematic. We can ill afford to lose out on the opportunities of enjoying our greatest natural resource, our scenic vistas and wonderful rural living!

We will:• Bring into force the Scotland District Au-

thority Act of 2007.• Invest $35 million over five years in stabi-

lizing the Scotland District.• Provide incentives and support to persons

engaging in sustainable agriculture in the Scotland District.

• Provide technical assistance and establish-ing a soft loan facility to house owners in the Scotland District for the purpose of mitigating the effect of slippage by instal-lation of proper drainage, stabilization or retention works.

• Give the Scotland District Authority the re-mit and the resources to fully rehabilitate the road and bridge network in the Scot-land District.

Manufacturing SectorManufacturing in Barbados has faced signifi-cant challenges in the era of trade liberalisa-tion. As a result, the BLP laid in Parliament a strategic plan in 2007 for “The Industrial Pol-icy for Barbados’ Manufacturing and Related Services Sector.”

This DLP Government has failed to take any action to implement this Plan even though the initiatives remain relevant and critical to the restructuring of Barbados’ industrial sector. The performance of both the manufacturing and the informatics sector has been absolute-ly dismal over the last 5 years.

The BLP believes that it is critical to further expand these exports given the favourable ac-cess provided to us under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Fifty-two percent of Barbados’ exports are to the CARICOM region.

To resuscitate our manufacturing sector

We Will:• Implement the policies contained in The

Industrial Policy for Barbados’ Manufac-turing and Related Services Sector.

36

• Establish Export Barbados to provide a dedicated focus to the export of Barbados products to CARICOM and the rest of the world.

• Implement loan guarantee and financing arrangements with provision for delayed repayments to help new and qualifying projects get off the ground.

• Aggressively work to eliminate the illegal subsidies provided to US rum producers by the US Government.

• Reposition the Barbados rum industry to be our premier export sector by doubling its production.

• Work with the Fair Trading Commission to facilitate the introduction of reduced en-ergy rates for off-peak usage by manufac-turing and informatics businesses.

• Actively pursue and facilitate expressions of interest made by the International Com-munity to establish Barbados as a centre for research and development in Bio-Sci-ences. Such an initiative would see Bar-bados partnering with start up companies in the field of bio-sciences and facilitating their access to laboratories, office space, administrative and corporate support ser-vices.

• Fund energy audits and retrofitting within the manufacturing and informatics sector to facilitate the most optimal and afford-able mix of traditional and alternative en-ergy. Expand training by providing custom design training modules to support enter-prises both within the manufacturing and the informatics sector to ensure that our workforce meets the highest standards.

• The creation of an enabling environment for high value added manufacturing in ar-eas such as pharmaceuticals and petro-leum.

Developing our Creative Industries Young countries such as Barbados will only reach their full potential when they release the full energies and creative potential of their people. Culture is the platform upon which we can unleash this potential.

We must now build further on this foundation such that the Creative Economy will be fully recognised by all as one of the key productive sectors to provide jobs, business opportuni-ties and wealth to Barbadians, especially our young people.

We will:• Pass a Cultural and Creative Industries

Bill Tax artists and musicians at the same

• Expand the Special Technical Assistance Programme to assist enterprises with ex-port potential to restructure to comply with the highest relevant international standards.

• Designate the furniture, food and fashion industries as sectors appropriate for the development of clusters of small business-es cooperating in respect of production and marketing. Resuscitate and expand the informatics and medical transcription sectors to provide jobs and opportunities for Barbadians.

• Aggressively work with the Fair Trading Commission to enhance the service qual-ity of licensed broad band and ICT provid-ers and to reduce the cost of the same.

37

Green Economy Policy in the Caribbean and one of the first in the World. A new BLP gov-ernment will take all necessary steps to ensure the Green Economy policy is operationalised. Our national policies will be harmonised so as to anchor them on principles of sustainabil-ity and the full development of an integrated, green, low carbon economy to protect our natural resources increase our investment in human and social capital, ensure low carbon development and sustained social and eco-nomic growth.

We will:• Implement special measures to equip

those sectors which have been identified by United Nations Environmental Pro-gramme (UNEP) as critical to the transi-tion – including Agriculture, Construction and Building, Energy, Fisheries, Forests, Manufacturing Tourism, Transport, Water and Waste Management – and support them through the global transition to the global green economy.

• Property owners will be given incentives to construct or retrofit green or GEED cer-tified properties using low carbon equip-ment and technologies.

• Incentives will be given to property own-ers to produce energy from renewable re-sources for their own use or for sale to the BL&P for feed into the national grid and the appropriate initiatives, legislation and feed-in tariffs will be developed to facili-tate these.

• The BNOC under the Barbados Labour Party imported and tested natural gas ve-hicles with excellent results. Companies with large vehicle fleets and public trans-port vehicles will be encouraged to con-vert to natural gas which is cheaper and cleaner than petroleum and diesel. We

rate as International Business Companies (IBCs) for any foreign exchange earned outside of Barbados.

• Enhance existing facilities and provide new training facilities for the cultural and creative sector based on partnerships be-tween the Government and reputable in-ternational schools in the Creative Indus-tries.

• Establish a separate Government institu-tion that will focus on the development of the creative industries as a critical part of the Barbados export economy.

• Establish the long awaited Film Commis-sion and the appropriate legislative, infra-structural, training and fiscal incentives framework to both boost the local film in-dustry and to position Barbados as a loca-tion of choice for international film shoots.

• Remove the bureaucratic constraints and the resulting high costs that stifle cultural and creative enterprises.

• Replenish the Innovation Fund to develop the products in the new media such as ani-mation, gaming, software development and publishing.

• WORK WITH THE TENANTS OF TEMPLE YARD AND CHARITABLE ORGANISA-TIONS TO ENHANCE THEIR FACILITIES TO HAVE THEM PROVIDE A VIBRANT ARTS AND CULTURAL FACILITY FOR BARBADIANS AND TOURISTS.

• Promote the purchase of more local art-work by Barbadian businesses and house-holds and by Government.

The Environment andthe Green EconomyThe BLP in 2007 developed the first National

38

will conduct a pilot project to test alterna-tively fuelled vehicles on various routes to determine what fuels the Transport Board can use to function cost effectively and give high performance.

• Green standards will be developed and an incentive system used to encourage all new buildings to meet the green standards.

• We will accelerate the programme to en-sure that all street lighting will eventu-ally be powered by solar or some other alternative source and that government will convert all incandescent lighting in its buildings to fluorescent. Water and energy saving devices and equipment will be used and phased in incrementally.

• The hotel and restaurant sector will be given incentives to comprehensively green retrofit using solar water heaters, energy saving devices and equipment, recycling water for irrigation and secondary use and taking measures to reduce waste and green their facilities (including sensors to activate lighting and taps and other equip-ment).

• The government will increasingly ensure that environmentally sustainable invest-ments are taken into account as part of its procurement policies and practices.

• Government will encourage recycling and promote waste reduction and the re-use and recycling of goods and materials whereever possible.

• The BWA is the largest single customer of the BL&P. All of its extraction and produc-tion is done using electrical energy or fossil fuels. The BWA will incrementally be taken to a renewable energy platform for all its operations but the back up and redundant systems will be from hydrocarbons.

The Coastal EnvironmentThe Barbados Labour Party implemented strong environmental policies between 1994 and 2008. The greening of the highways, the construction of many new community parks and beach facilities, the construction of the popular South and West Coasts Boardwalks and the passage of legislation to protect the marine environment put us on a path to sus-tainable development while protecting plant and animal life. We are committed to protect-ing and preserving our natural and built envi-ronment.

We will:• IDENTIFY, DEVELOP AND RETAIN A NUM-

BER OF NEW, WELL LANDSCAPED BEACH ACCESSES AND WINDOWS TO THE SEA SO AS TO PRESERVE ADEQUATE COASTAL RECREATION FOR USE BY NATIONALS. WHERE FEASIBLE, NEW BEACH FACILITIES WILL BE CONSTRUCTED.

• UNDERTAKE COASTAL STABILISATION, REHABILITATION AND ENHANCEMENT AT A NUMBER OF SITES WHERE THE COASTLINE IS UNDER THREAT.

• Establish a Marine Water Quality standard to ensure our beach water remains of high standard.

• Establish a Marine Management Authority to balance the wider interest of all beach users so as to reduce conflict and promote beach protection.

• Conduct coastal sensitivity mapping aimed at identifying risk hazards and vulnerable areas.

• Develop a National Ocean Policy for the management of Barbados’ marine terri-tory, hydrocarbon and mineral resources.

• Develop a Coral Reef Action Plan to evalu-ate, protect and, where necessary, trans-plant corals which are vital habitats for

39

marine species and which are central to the protection of the coastline from in-tense wave action.

HARRISON’S CAVEHarrison’s Cave is Barbados’ premier tourist attraction. The BLP had started work on its re-habilitation and redevelopment.

We will:• Develop a sustainable agricultural project

for the protection zone around the Cave and develop the area as a special heritage site. This will allow residents to earn rev-enue while protecting the Cave’s Ecosys-tem.

The recent energy policy of the DLP has un-dermined the productive sectors, especially tourism.

In the area of offshore exploration, a previous BLP administration had secured an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) with Trinidad and To-bago.

Prior to 2008, an exploratory well was drilled under a programme with an oil company. Un-der the DLP government, there has been a sig-nificant decline in the production of oil and gas despite the high international oil prices, which ought to have served as an incentive for increasing local production.

However, Barbados now faces an import bill for fuels of over $800 million per year.

Energy as a sector comprises: 1. The production of oil and gas onshore and

offshore.2. The distribution of both products onshore

and 3. Renewable energy products.

There is tremendous potential for growth in these three areas, especially in renewable products. This growth has the potential to save foreign exchange, create hundreds of jobs and reduce the cost of living.

The strategic objective in the energy sector is to increase the mix of alternative renewable energy to 30% of total usage. While solar is not the only source of alternative energy, Bar-bados is a world leader in the use of solar wa-ter heating systems as a result of the policies of previous Barbados Labour Party administra-tions.

The Barbados Labour Party has already ad-dressed energy related issues in the context of cost of living in the manifesto. But there are two other important areas:

1. Energy is a critical input that affects the competitiveness of the productive sectors, and

2. Energy is a sector of economic activity and Barbados can ex-pand its capacity for growth and development by increas-ing production of both oil and gas and renewable energy.

40

encourage other forms of renewable energy.

We will: • Remove any obstacles in accessing the

IADB Smart Fund.• Remove all import duties on raw materials

for the manufacturing of renewable energy products/systems.

• Give income tax deductions for specified renewable energy products/systems under the home allowance.

Energy ConservationThere is an urgent need for all Barbadians to use energy products wisely.

We will:1. Develop a National Energy Conservation

Programme for both domestic and com-mercial users.

2. Ensure that over the next five years, all public buildings will be retrofitted in order to use energy more efficiently.

3. Continue to offer incentives to promote the further use of energy efficient appli-ances.

4. Reinforce and expand the sustainable en-ergy programme.

5. Facilitate entities in the agricultural, man-ufacturing and tourism sectors to use a mix of renewable energy products.

A similar effort is now required to develop other forms of alternative energy.

We will:• Significantly boost local production of oil

and gas by drilling new wells, bringing on stream those already drilled and revisiting exhausted wells with new technology.

• Invite reputable foreign and local firms to assist in exploiting the hydro carbon re-serves within the EEZ.

• Establish a Heritage and Stabilisation Fund using some of the windfall from the off shore sector.

• Ensure that any drilling takes place in an environmentally sensitive manner.

• Expand the use of natural gas in the Bar-bados energy sector.

• EXPAND THE NATURAL GAS NET-WORK, ESPECIALLY TO HEAVILY POPU-LATED AREAS AND TO INDUSTRY.

Notwithstanding our efforts in the area of oil and gas production and distribution, the future of the energy sector lies in addressing gallop-ing energy costs, ensuring energy security and protecting the environment.

This requires a strategy of developing renew-able energy sources, encouraging energy ef-ficiency and energy conservation. The major sources include solar photovoltaic, solar water heating and wind.

The IADB recognised that “to date, the most successful story of RE [renewable energy] in Barbados has been that of solar water heat-ing” it is therefore fitting that the incentive model used to develop the sector be used to

41

42

• Create a Tourism Industry that can drive the economy allowing Barbados to be de-veloped and promoted as a premium des-tination in every respect.

• Revive and accelerate the programme started by a previous BLP administration to invest heavily in new attractions and amenities in the country that can make Barbados a 5 Star Destination.

• A strong ICT and Tourism platform con-stitutes the most important infrastruc-ture needed for building a 21st century economy. Where the infrastructure of the past included roads and ports and high-ways, the economic infrastructure of Bar-bados’ future will be largely based on in-formation technology. Indeed, sustained investment in a world-class ICT platform must become the foundation of any fu-ture Barbadian economic model.

We will:• Modernise national telecommunication

policy tto facilitate the implementation of a National WiFi/Broadband Programme throughout the length and breadth of Barbados and provide universal access for all our citizens.

• Encourage the creation of a Centre of Excellence to promote the research and development of Information and Com-munications Technologies and the full integration of these technologies into all aspects of the national economy.

• Fill the significant gap in our economic infrastructure by supporting the cost ef-fective building of a marina at Bridgetown so as to position Barbados, the first stop across the Atlantic, as a premier yachting destination.

• Develop a capital programme associ-ated with the sensitive, environmentally

A robust and well developed infrastructure has always been a critical component in building Barbados. It must be further strengthened to better serve the economy in the 21st century.

We will: • Commence a new phase in the Barbados

Tourism Investment Inc.’s Tourism Prod-uct Enhancement Programme that has previously seen the transformation of St. Lawrence Gap, the building of board-walks, and infrastructure enhancement in Speightown and Bridgetown.

43

friendly rehabilitation of the Scotland District allowing it to become part of the building of a new economic infrastructure for Barbados.

• THE SCOTLAND DISTRICT REPRESENTS 1/7TH OF THE AREA OF BARBADOS AND IS WELL SUITED FOR NOVEL FORMS OF NON-TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE AND OTHER INNOVATIVE ECONOMIC ENTERPRISES. WE WILL ENSURE THAT THIS IS CAREFULLY POLISHED.

• Actively pursue the building-out of 2 new areas of physical development – South-eastern Barbados and the North. To this end we enact the requisite legislation to designate the Southeastern and Northern portions of Barbados as corridors of spe-cial development so as to transform those areas and expand the range of inputs flowing into the national economy.

• Put policies in place to facilitate the es-tablishment of a township in St. Lucy, rec-ognizing that the creation of affordable housing communities will necessarily be a key component in any strategy to develop the North.

• Bring about a further decentralization of economic activity to address issues of housing, gridlock, congestion and stag-nant economic performance, through the creation of multiple nodes of economic activity across Barbados. To ensure an eq-uitable distribution of economic benefits and a balanced approach to national eco-nomic development.

The Barbados Labour Party believes that gov-ernment cannot just design an economy and hope that young people will fit into it. Rather we must deliberately design our economic policies and structures with our young people in mind, and allow more of our growth and the earning of foreign exchange to come from oc-cupations that young people want to pursue and from which they can begin the process of accumulating wealth.

THIS GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED TO HAR-NESS THE CREATIVE OUTPUTS OF YOUNG BARBADIAN MEN AND WOMEN AND HAS MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONVERT THOSE OUTPUTS INTO TANGIBLE EXPORTS, EMPLOYMENT GENERATION, SECTORAL DE-VELOPMENT AND NOVEL AVENUES OF FOR-EIGN EXCHANGE GENERATION.

We believe that our national economy is strengthened when the potential of our youth to develop new and innovative ideas is har-nessed. Indeed, a fundamental aspect of any future transformation of the Barbados econ-omy must entail the deliberate design of an economic system that can specifically accom-modate the aspirations of our youth and help them to tap into the vast market areas where

44

their services are in great demand and fetch extraordinary high prices.

These dynamic market areas include the in-ternational sports market, digital and social media, the field of entertainment and cultural activities and the vast array of service activi-ties that draw upon the creative imagination of young people.

We will:• Commit $20 million to further capitalise

the innovation fund and enable young people, through access to concessionary financing, to become entrepreneurs in-volved in areas of economic activity with-in the creative economy.

• Create a supportive framework to equip more young Barbadians to tap into the in-ternational sports market as profession-als, especially in the area of football.

Thanks to the previous BLP administration, sporting organizations now draw over $13 million per year from the lotteries.

• Make provision for those organizations Arrangements to have access to at least $25 million per year, in the first instance, so that they can give more professional contracts to national sportsmen, and sup-port development programmes to take our young people to the stage where they can secure rewarding professional con-tracts in the global sports market.

• Encourage the development of profes-sional sports in Barbados by converting three existing Sporting facilities into mini stadia in the North, Centre and South of

Barbados, while working in partnership with the Barbados Olympic Association to rebuild a modern National Stadium. We will also work to reduce the costs and bu-reaucratic constraints faced by sporting organizations and promoters in the host-ing of sporting events.

• Work collaboratively with the National Sports Council to encourage a number of interested charitable entities to assist in the development of Barbadian sportsmen through the provision of funding and ex-pertise.

• Strengthen and fully support the Barba-dos Coalition of Service Industries and make it one of our leading national eco-nomic organizations. For our young ser-vice providers, selling their services in the new evolving global economy is in many ways made possible by the revolution in Information and Communications Tech-nology and represents the best hope for a dramatic transformation of our national economy.

• BARBADOS IS DEVELOPING A VERY DIVERSE CLASS OF YOUNG PROFES-SIONALS. THE FEES PAYABLE BY PRO-FESSIONALS, HOWEVER, ARE NOT DIFFERENTIATED ACCORDING TO EX-PERIENCE WHICH MEANS THAT YOUNG PROFESSIONALS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE SAME FEES AS THEIR MORE EXPERI-ENCED COUNTERPARTS.

• A BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY GOVERN-MENT WILL ADDRESS THE BURDENS OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A GRADU-ATED FEE STRUCTURE TARGETED SPE-CIFICALLY AT YOUNG BARBADIAN MEN AND WOMEN NEWLY EMBARKING IN THEIR PROFESSIONAL FIELDS.

45

• Encourage growth in the sector will make provision for sportsmen, entertainers and other professionals registered with the Barbados Coalition of Service Providers whose services allow them to earn foreign exchange to pay tax on their income at the international business rate of 1.5%.

VALUING OUR ELDERLYBarbados has a large and growing elderly pop-ulation. Our senior citizens have sacrificed much to build our nation and ensure a good quality of life for younger generations.

We will:• Enact a Seniors Protection Act the provi-

sions of which will seek to prohibit the wil-ful exploitation of seniors 65 and over by heavily penalising those who physically, sexually or psychologically abuse seniors, or steal money or property from them.

• Apply the provisions of the Act to people under 65 who suffer with dementia or Al-zheimer’s or are physically or mentally challenged.

• Provide Enhanced Home Care Services through an expanded programme of Community Nurses, including a cadre as-

signed to respond to the medical needs of the elderly. This approach will lessen the burden on Polyclinics and Geriatric Facili-ties, while promoting community health-care and living for our elderly.

• Give incentives to recognised NGOs, Trade Unions, BARP, and private inves-tors to establish nursing homes and other facilities for the day, short and long term care of seniors as well as those providing rehabilitation, or recreational services for the elderly

Income Tax allowance for Pensioners• Increase the income tax allowance from

the current $40,000 to $50,000. This will ensure that any Barbadian living on an NIS Pension will effectively be receiving that pension tax free.

Retirement Villages• Provide medical and nursing care for se-

niors who may be ambulatory with no serious illnesses, but who may need the assurance of health care should it be nec-essary.

• Provide a regime of tax incentives and other concessions to facilitate the estab-lishment and operation of assisted living facilities for older persons in Barbados in-cluding:

1. Assisted Living and Nursing Home Care Facilities, with special provision for resi-dents with dementia.

2. An Adult Day Care Facility. 3. Apartment type Independent Living Fa-

cilities. 4. Rehabilitation Centre. 5. Provision for professional health care

services.

46

Reverse MortgagesIn Barbados there are now large numbers of el-derly property owners who for various reasons can be categorised as “asset rich” but “cash poor.” This is evidenced by the number of both occupied and unoccupied properties which have fallen into a state of serious disrepair.

We will: • Encourage commercial banks, mortgage

companies, insurance houses and other lenders to respond to this situation by ac-cepting the provision of reverse mortgag-es as an important product of housing.

• Seek to provide the transparent legisla-tive and regulatory framework for reverse mortgages that offers protection to both the lender and borrower, and minimises any potential for or perception of discrim-ination.

47

individuals and Non-Profit entities that are CLICO and BAICO policy holders in Barbados, the FULL value of policies as at the date at which payments of interest to them ceased. Settlement will be made by a combination of cash, short term mar-ketable investment instruments and tax relief where applicable.

• Honour our commitment to return to cor-porate entities that are CLICO and BAICO policyholders in Barbados the FULL value of policies as at the date on which pay-ments of interest to them ceased. Settle-ment will be made by a combination of medium and long-term investment instru-ments and tax relief, where applicable.

• Meet with the OECS governments and their policy holders in CLICO in an effort to work towards an equitable settlement of all outstanding liabilities arising out-side of Barbados.

• Commission a wider and far-reaching fo-rensic audit o ensure full accountability and transparency, and to mitigate the ex-posure of the Barbadian tax payers, we will. Thereafter we will take ALL appropri-ate legal action to trace and recover all as-sets based on the outcome of that audit.

By taking early action to review and strength-en, as necessary, all regulations and laws per-taining to this sector to ensure that such a ca-tastrophe can never again be visited upon our citizens and our economy.

Some 35,000 Barbadian policy holders of CLI-CO and BAICO, acting in good faith, bought policies worth approximately $364.8 Million, which have now become a $76.7 million dollar problem given that the two companies have assets with a current market value of $288.1 million. The policy holders currently face the possibility of losing around 50% of their mon-ey, having being promised the full 100% resto-ration of money by two DLP Prime Ministers, a DLP Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados. For too long, these unfortunate citizens have been left in anguish and frustration because of slow deci-sion making.

The CLICO/BAICO matter MUST be resolved without further delay to secure the welfare of the affected individuals, families, households, corporate entities and the Barbados economy in general.

A NEW BLP GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE PROMPT ACTION TO PROVIDE A DEFINI-TIVE AND SATISFACTORY SOLUTION TO THE CLICO AND BAICO FIASCO, FIRST IN BARBADOS AND IMMEDIATELY THEREAF-TER IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN.

We will:• Honour our commitment to return to ALL

48

NEW DEAL FORSMALL BUSINESSCLASSBetween 1994 and 2007 the BLP led govern-ment presented a new deal and legacy for Bar-bados’ small business development with the creation of the Small Business Development Act and subsequently reduced the corporate tax for small businesses from 40% to 15%.

The BLP government was also instrumental in expanding the role and operation of the small business secretariat through the decentralisa-tion of their operations to allow small busi-nesses to access administrative support and technical services in St. Peter in the North and St. Philip in the South.

Understanding the financial constraints that many small entrepreneurs faced, a caring BLP government introduced new opportunities for financing including Fund Access for micro fi-nancing and the Enterprise Growth Fund Lim-ited (EGFL) for financing small and medium size businesses.

In a new BLP administration a further set of measures will be implemented to take Small Business to a higher level.

We will:• Revamp the Small Business Develop-

ment Act to provide for further incen-tives to micro businesses.

• Transfer the administration of the fac-toring programme from the Ministry responsible for Small Business directly to Fund Access, the Enterprise Growth Fund and qualifying credit unions.

• Provide facilities to the Small Business Association to create an incubator park for technology, software development, innovation and creativity.

• Launch the Barbados ITC Cluster Initia-tive; a program aimed at fostering small business integration in ITC sector where SMBS can increase export opportunities by leveraging the strengths of their re-spective companies.

• Encourage the jumpstart of new busi-nesses by making the first 3 years of reg-istered small businesses exempt from taxation.

• Provide tax incentives for the develop-ment of an ‘Angel Investment Network’ that supplements the existing govern-ment funded institutions by driving pri-vate sector involvement and mentor-ship.

• Provide the legislative framework and platform for ‘Crowd Funding’ as a cit-izen-empowering micro business pro-gram to drive alternative funding for micro-business.

49

The record of the Barbados Labour Party ad-ministration between 1994-2008 in reducing unemployment from 24% to 6.7% is the sin-gle most impressive achievement by any gov-ernment in the history of Barbados. We said job #1 was going to be jobs. We were tested, tried and proven. Our commitment to making economic progress ultimately take the form of jobs remains undiminished.

Our approach to job creation is based on the principle that new jobs come from two sources:

1. The expansion of existing enterprises and;2. The creation of new ones.

The policies and programmes for the develop-ment and diversification of our productive sec-tors to bring to bear a new means of stimulat-ing enterprise as outlined in this manifesto are all intended to create such an environment. We especially believe that employment and job creation at this juncture must be based more than in the past on the deployment of new information and communication technol-ogy and business and investment facilitation

programmes.

It has been shown around the world that most new jobs come from small and micro enterpris-es. The cutting edge that we propose to add to our new job creation programme is centred on financial innovation aimed at bringing those who have ideas, but who have not historical-ly had access to the financial sector, into the mainstream of entrepreneurship.

We intend to make financial innovation pro-grammes reach those in the informal sectors and our youth, where the marginalisation has been greatest.

Job #1 will still be Jobs.

50

A New Development CouncilThe present set of economic circumstances facing Barbados, and the trajectory along which, without substantial change, our na-tional economy is evolving, go way beyond the dimensions of any economic crisis with which the country has had to grapple since Indepen-dence.

The Barbados Labour Party strongly believes that urgent changes must be made to create conditions conducive to strong private sector led growth and that such growth in the final analysis will require that detailed attention be paid to devising new arrangements for the country’s economic governance.

Accordingly a BLP Government will constitute a new Development Council, drawing upon ex-pertise in the public and private sectors, the labour movement and civil society, under the leadership of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Business Facilitation Unit, Office of the Prime Minister It continues to be conclusively shown that the biggest drag on Barbados’ competitiveness and growth is the welter of outdated bureaucratic practices which have unnecessarily retarded decision making, increased costs and reduced

efficiency over a wide range of potential eco-nomic activities.

The Barbados Labour Party is committed to addressing this matter by the articulation of a national Business Facilitation Programme un-der which new benchmarks of efficiency will have to be attained in carrying out essential processes that effect investment and produc-tion. A special new unit in the Prime Minister’s Office will be set up to oversee the implemen-tation of such a programme to ensure that all Government Ministries and Agencies fully comply with their obligations.

The rehabilitation of the various business sec-tors across this country will require proactive economic leadership at the highest levels. As such, the Business Facilitation Unit will pro-mote a multifaceted growth and develop-ment strategy for Barbados that can restore vibrancy and vitality to the national economy. It will also engage in the coherent and harmo-nious co-ordination of programmes such as ICT development, the reform of the financial sector, new sectoral policies and programmes, the modernizing and streamlining of rules and regulations in the Public Sector to expedite prompt decision-making initiatives to spur pri-vate capital inflows, while allowing the pursuit of appropriate human development policies.

51

52

young Barbadians of the necessary prepa-ration for the information age.

To reverse these policies the first task of a re-elected BLP Government will be to restore good order, a sound structure and a sense of purpose to the education sector in Barbados.

Institutional ReformThe recent problems at the Alexandra School have highlighted the need for institutional re-form at the Ministry of Education and at the level of the schools.

We will:• A Teaching Services Commission. • A School Leadership Program as a key

component of training and development for Principals and members of the senior management teams in the school system.

• A far reaching institutional reform of the education system. This will include a com-prehensive revision of the Education Act and Regulations to clarify the roles of all stakeholders and to reflect modern ap-proaches to education management and administration.

• A dedicated Schools’ Inspectorate, within the Ministry of Education, that undertakes school inspections as its primary responsi-bility.

• Opportunities for the continuing profes-sional development of teachers including mandatory training every five years for all teachers.

• Master Teachers within the Primary and Secondary school system.

• Education standards, performance targets and guidelines for best practice.

Science and Technology Enhanced national capability in the area of

Education has been a potent force of transfor-mation for countless Barbadians and has been a major factor in Barbados’ rise to the fore-front of developing countries on the UNDP’s Human Development Index. The BLP’s philoso-phy is that the purpose of education is to en-able individuals to reach their full human po-tential, both individually and as members of the society.

IF LEFT UNCHECKED THE CURRENT STATE OF CHAOS IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM OF BARBADOS, PRESIDED OVER BY THE DEM-OCRATIC LABOUR PARTY, WILL, SEVERELY HAMPER OUR COUNTRY’S ABILITY TO RE-COVER FROM THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES IT FACES.

The devastating policies of the Democrat-ic Labour Party have resulted in: • The UWI being left adrift and in financial

peril because of under-funding by the DLP.

• Barbados losing ground to competitors in meeting tertiary education needs be-cause of our “tertiary education deficit” caused by the shelving of the BLP’s plans for the University College of Barbados.

• The total mess at Alexandra.• Evidence of an expanded vocational

training deficit.• The slow pace of implementation of uni-

versal early childhood education.• Virtual abandonment of the EDUTECH

program which has robbed thousands of

53

science and technology is fundamental to the future development of Barbados.

To safeguard that future there must be an in-crease in the number of students at all levels who choose to pursue studies in science and technology.

We will:• Establish a national innovation pro-

gramme that provides the opportunity for young Barbadians to create and showcase digital technology.

• Build teacher capability in the area of sci-ence and technology by providing schol-arships and other incentives for teachers to develop specific pedagogical compe-tence in science and technology.

Lifelong LearningIn today’s world it is increasingly unlikely that an individual could contemplate one career for life. Rapid changes in markets and technol-ogy can cause old skills, trades and professions to disappear and new job skills to come into demand.

The ability of the education system to provide ongoing opportunities for training and retrain-ing is critical given this reality.

We will:• Restructure the mode of delivery of course

content at the Barbados Community Col-lege, Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytech-nic, TVET Council, Barbados Vocational Training Board and all Government train-ing institutions to make the fullest use of distance education, self paced learning,

and modular courses to make it easier for adults with family, work, or other respon-sibilities to take maximum advantage of all education and training opportunities.

Curriculum ReformSports and the Arts The link between sports, the arts and devel-opment is very well documented. In Barbados, outside of Interschool Sports and NIFCA, there are too few opportunities for developing and showcasing the talent of our youth

WE WILL ESTABLISH AN ACADEMY OF SPORTS AND THE ARTS TO DEVELOP OUR SPORTING AND ARTISTIC TALENT.

Entrepreneurship We will forge close collaboration between the Barbados Entrepreneurship Foundation and the Ministry of Education towards the goal of making “Barbados the #1 Entrepreneurial Hub in the World by 2020”.

Special Needs EducationAn education system, just like a society, can only be considered successful if it makes ade-quate provision for persons with special needs. The Barbados Labour Party will pursue a two pronged strategy involving:• The incorporation of children with a range

of physical challenges into regular schools by making such physical, technological, and pedagogical adjustments as needed to allow them to function at their fullest potential.

• Provision of support for special schools for those children who may require a higher level of specialist care and instruction not available in regular schools.

ICTs in SchoolsThe EDUTECH program that was intended to

54

prepare our students for the ICT revolution has faltered under the Democratic Labour Party. It will be revitalized and built upon to ensure that its objectives are met.

We will:• Continue the further integration of ICTs

into the teaching-learning process. • Introduce a programme of Initiatives for

Strengthening Teachers and Resources for Ultimate Quality (INSTRUQ) in order to gain maximum benefit from the invest-ment we have made in technology.

Early Childhood EducationThere continues to be a deficit in the provision of early childhood education. The BLP remains committed to its goal of universal access to pre-school education.

We will:• Complete the programme started by the

BLP for the provision of universal access to Early Childhood Education for children 3-5 years old.

Primary Education

We will:• Formalise a system of community organ-

isations to support primary schools.• Provide support for tutorial programmes

administered by community groups.• Upgrade the resources and facilities at

under-performing schools to equalise the performance in and the demand for schools across Barbados.

• Expand the national reading programme.• Expand diagnostic testing for 3 and 5 year

olds in hearing, speech and sight.• Expand such testing in emotional, physi-

ological and educational areas.

Secondary Education

We will:• Construct at least one new secondary

school to bring the enrolment per school to more manageable levels.

• Expand the programme at the Edna Nich-olls Centre.

• Establish in partnership with the civil soci-ety after-school programmes across Bar-bados to provide care, support and men-torship for children whose parents are still at work.

• Expand the school to work programme.• Utilise the facilities at secondary schools

after hours to provide community orient-ed training in technical skills and trades.

Tertiary EducationThere is a very strong correlation between the levels of social and economic development and the availability and quality of tertiary ed-ucation.

The failure of the DLP to provide funding for the UWI has become both an educational and a financial threat to the future viability of that important institution. The issue of funding for the UWI must be placed on a sound footing.

We will: • Create a special Task Force to develop an

optimal financing plan for the tertiary ed-ucation within three years.

• The BLP will ensure that there is a vibrant tertiary education sector which satisfies the education needs of Barbadians as well as providing scope to export education services to the rest of the world.

55

IN THE INTERIM WE WILL, AS A TEMPO-RARY MEASURE, REDUCE THE EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATE OF NATIONAL INSURANCE AND CONVERT THE EQUIVALENT TO A HIGHER EDUCA-TION LEVY TO FUND THE UWI.

• Support the programme for tertiary edu-cation as outlined in the REPORT OF THE BECKLES COMMISSION ON HIGHER ED-UCATION 2012.

• Support the development of the Cave Hill Campus area as a township because of its profound economic impact on the sur-rounding urban communities.

• Support the development of a science park which will serve as strong link with the business and technological commu-nity.

• Establish Barbados as a location for inter-national high quality tertiary education and create a suitable regime to encourage major reputable universities to establish specialist units in Barbados to educate students from around the world.

• Develop programmes to increase the en-rolment of males in tertiary education.

We will:ALLOW A TAX CREDIT TO INDIVIDUALS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS MADE TO REGIS-TERED EDUCATION SAVINGS PLANS.

Based on its record alone in the provision of healthcare, the DLP should be rejected by Bar-badians.

The dismal record of the DLP includes:• The inhumane, uncaring and draconian

measures introduced in relation to the Barbados Drug Service.

• The lack of clarity of purpose in relation to the role and function of the QEH Board and the concomitant mismanagement of the QEH.

• The rampant use of dishonourable pro-curement practices at the QEH.

• The recurrent shortages of vital equip-ment resulting in deleterious conse-quences to the care of infants and adult patients at the QEH.

• The absence of any new major initiative in health by the DLP.

• The attempts at manipulation of the Med-ical and Dental Councils by the DLP.

The BLP is committed to reversing this dete-riorating state of affairs and to restoring a hu-mane face to the delivery of healthcare in this country.

The BLP is unswerving in the belief that health-care should be funded principally through pub-lic finances. We recognise however that there is a role for the private sector and insurance companies in its provision.

THE BLP HAS COMMITTED TO THE INTRO-DUCTION OF A HEALTH CARE TAX CREDIT IN THIS MANIFESTO TO ENSURE THAT MORE PEOPLE HAVE OPTIONS FOR THE PROVI-SION OF THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE.

There will however always be a category of persons who will not be able to avail them-selves of these options. The BLP is firmly of the view that the Government of Barbados MUST always provide for these persons. Given the astronomical rate of growth in health expen-

56

in Barbados and result in high levels of illness and disability.

A major definitive action of the BLP, in this regard, was the establishment of the Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Commission in January 2007. The promotion of healthy life-styles and the reduction of the incidence of these diseases forms the remit of this com-mission.

We will: • Allow health and wellness expenses to be

claimed as part of the new health care tax credit.

• Remove import duty and VAT from a bas-ket of goods which support healthy eat-ing, to include diabetic supplements, low sugar and low fat snacks, sugar substi-tutes, cereals, peas/beans, food supple-ments, multivitamins, and vegetarian burgers, tofu, etc

• Make it mandatory for all new housing de-velopments to provide safe recreational spaces, e.g. playing fields, walking tracks, bicycle paths or gym facilities.

Tertiary Care - The QEHThe BLP is committed to building a new state of the art Hospital, outfitted with the latest medical technology. However, we recognise that in this harsh economic climate we may be unable to do so immediately. In the inter-im, the QEH will be provided with adequate funding, to allow recapitalization and efficient

diture and the difficult economic challenges that we face, it will be critical to do so in an efficient manner.

Accordingly, we will create a regime that will encourage their participation and will make it possible for every employed person to have access to health insurance.

Barbados Drug Service (BDS)

A FUNDAMENTAL TENET OF BLP POLICY IN RELATION TO THE PROVISION OF HEALTH-CARE IS THAT THE POOR, THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED AND PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTABLE HEALTH CARE PROVIDED TO THEM BY THE STATE FREE OF COST.

Under the current DLP regime there has been a movement away from the BLP’s policy posi-tion, especially as it relates to the BDS. Un-der a new BLP administration, there will be a more humane reform of the BDS, allowing it to better serve its client base and to meet their needs in a cost effective manner.

We will:• Amend the draconian measures intro-

duced by the DLP government.• Ensure that all pensioners receive their

medication free of charge at the pharma-cy of their choice.

Health and Wellness Programme There is abundant evidence showing that the non-communicable diseases (diabetes, hy-pertension, heart disease, obesity and cancer) constitute the five(5) leading causes of death

57

functioning.

In this regard, a priority for the BLP will be the procurement and implementation of a Hospi-tal Integrated Information System (HIIS). The HIIS will be a key vehicle in helping the QEH to make a quantum leap in the development of quality, efficiency, management and delivery of health care.

Where we cannot be the physical provider, the BLP Government will become the facilitator of access to specialist treatment and advances in medical technology.

We will:• Introduce a Medical Services Develop-

ment Act (similar to the Tourism Develop-ment Act which we previously introduced)

• Expand the partnerships with the private sector (purchaser/provider split) that ex-ists within the BDS and the alternate care of the elderly programme, another BLP initiative, into other areas of healthcare provision.

• Utilise available EU funds to establish a cardiac unit and a stroke management unit at the QEH.

Polyclinics Under the last BLP Administration, the opening

hours of the Randall Phillips and Maurice Byer Polyclinics were extended to 8:30 p.m. We will extend these opening hours to all other poly-clinics.

We will:• Continue the development and refurbish-

ment of our polyclinics. • Provide a modern ICT system so that the

Polyclinics will be effectively integrated with the proposed HIIS at the QEH.

• Provide X-ray and Ultra- Sound facilities and asthma bays at all polyclinics.

• Construct a polyclinic at Tamarind Hall, St. Joseph as previously planned.

Care Of The Elderly We recognise the role played by our seniors in building our Nation. To properly reward their contribution:

We will: • Expand the Alternative Care of the Elderly

programme, which is a cost effective way of providing care to the builders of our so-ciety.

PROVIDE A TAX ALLOWANCE TO PERSONS TO OFFSET THE COST OF PROVIDING CARE FOR THEIR ELDERLY AND PHYSICAL-LY CHALLENGED RELATIVES. • Enhance the present geriatric facilities.

Rehabilitation Services In response to the growing numbers of am-putees as a result of diabetes and peripheral

58

• Ensure that an adequate number of am-bulances are available as the expansion of the services continues.

NursingThe BLP is mindful of the extremely important role which the members of the nursing profes-sion have played in the provision of healthcare to Barbadians over the years. The BLP will en-sure the implementation of the Nursing Stra-tegic Plan, which was developed during the last BLP Administration.

We will: • Place greater focus on the specialist train-

ing of nurses.• Review the conditions of service of nurs-

ing staff in the public sector, with a view to improving their remuneration and re-ducing the very high number of resigna-tions.

• Establish a Continuing Nursing Education Policy.

Medical and Dental ProfessionThe BLP is mindful of the burden imposed on many of our young professionals by the high registration fees which they are now asked to pay.

We will:• Review the current professional fee struc-

ture with a view to introducing a scale of fees based on years of practice.

vascular disease (poor circulation), rising num-bers of stroke victims and increasing numbers of persons suffering as a result of vehicular ac-cidents and other trauma.

We will:• Establish a National Rehabilitation Cen-

tre in partnership with interested philan-thropic organisations.

Mental HealthRecognising that Mental Health illness is now classified by some as a chronic disease and may be affecting as much as 20%-25% of our population, the BLP remains committed to mental health reform.

We will:WORK WITH PHILANTHROPIC ORGAN-ISATIONS TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMME TO INCLUDE A SPECIAL UNIT FOR WOMEN.• Modernise our Mental Health Legislation.• Strengthen the Community-based men-

tal health services.

Emergency Ambulance Service (EAS) The EAS continues to provide good service, with its medical director, trained paramedics (first in the Eastern Caribbean), EMT’s and dis-patchers.; all introduced by the previous BLP Administration.

The BLP will continue the decentralisation of this service and provide on-going training of staff to the level of paramedic.

We will:• Provide adequate and appropriate ac-

commodation for the staff of the EAS.

59

HIV/AIDSThe BLP will provide continued support to the HIV/AIDS programme, which we started in 2002, as we see HIV/AIDS as a developmental issue.

We will:• Strengthen our surveillance and counsel-

ling programmes• Strengthen our Information, Education

and Communication (IEC) programme.

Solid Waste ManagementWe will: • Complete the implementation of the In-

tegrated Solid Waste Management pro-gramme which we commenced at Vau-cluse and of which recycling is a major component.

• Construct an in-vessel composting facil-ity and a chemical waste storage facility at Vaucluse.

• Enact appropriate legislation to encour-age and regulate recycling and the man-agement of solid waste.

Sanitation Services Authority (SSA) We will:

• Ensure an efficient and modern collection system whereby 90% of the public will get a twice weekly collection.

• Actively promote the sorting of garbage, enlisting the cooperation of household-ers to separate organics, plastics, paper, metal and glass.

• Encourage recycling by giving incentives to entities involved in this process, i.e. re-cycling of paper, plastics, glass and build-ing and demolition debris.

• Introduce legislation and an enforcement programme along with public education for littering and illegal dumping.

Barbados Water Authority (BWA)

We will:• Continue to provide a safe water supply to

all Barbadians; in this regard water treat-ment plants will be established at the Belle and Ashton Hall.

REACTIVATE THE “WATER AUGMENTATION PROJECT” THAT WAS PLANNED TO RE-SOLVE THE PERSISTENT WATER SHORTAG-ES IN ST JOSEPH, ST ANDREW, ST THOM-AS, ST PETER, ST LUCY, ST. JOHN AND ST PHILIP.• Fully capitalise the mains replacement

programme which forms the main plank of the BWA’s water augmentation plan.

• Facilitate the construction of a desalina-tion plant on the south east of the island as a public/private sector project.

• Facilitate the construction of the long overdue West Coast Sewerage Treatment Plant as a public/private sector partner-ship.

• Provide the Belle area with a sewerage system.

• Use cutting-edge technology to provide for waste water re-use for agricultural and other similar purposes.

Environmental Health

We will:COMPLETE OUR PROGRAMME TO ERA-DICTE ALL PIT-TOILETS IN BARBADOS AND REPLACE THEM WITH SANITARY WATER TOILETS.• A new animal control centre will be con-

structed along with expanded regulations governing the care and protection of ani-mals.

60

The Barbados Labour Party has a proud history of providing housing for thousands of Barbadians. The BLP revolutionized housing policy in Barbados, empowered thousands of Barbadians and transformed countless communities dotted across the landscape of this country, when it passed the Tenantries Freehold Purchase Act.

During our last term in office, the programme of empowerment continued through the Ur-ban Tenantries Programme which saw many Barbadians owning their house spots for only $2.50 per square foot. Additionally, hundreds of houses were constructed and concessional financing provided through the General Work-ers Loan Fund to help Barbadians repair and maintain their homes.

A Housing policy, if it is to be successful, must be in harmony with the culture of the people. “Owning a piece of the rock,” self-help, and strong community ties are aspects of Barba-dian culture which must be reflected in our national housing policy. In addition, housing as a major component of the construction sector has great potential for economic growth and economic empowerment.

The Democratic Labour Party has converted the housing programme into an opportunity for just a chosen few. Where it has construct-ed houses, it has been so narrowly focused on playing a numbers game that it has failed to develop communities. The failure of the DLP housing policy is clearly demonstrated in the fact that its signature housing project, the Vil-lages at Coverley, has come to a screeching halt.

The BLP has always treated to the housing sector as a key component of the construction sector and one which also provided many small and medium sized construction businesses the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the economy.

THE BLP HAD SOUGHT TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF POOR HOUSING, SANITATION, LAND TENURE, AND OTHER PROBLEMS IN NEIGHBOUR-HOODS ACROSS BARBADOS BY CON-CEIVING AND NEGOTIATING FUND-ING OF US$60MIL, FROM THE IDB, FOR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD UPGRADING PROGRAMME.

HOUSING

61

Under DLP mismanagement this project has stalled. Similarly the pre-existing programme of urban renewal which was to be executed under the Urban Development Commission has been badly botched by the DLP. Nowhere is this more evident than in the programme, started by the BLP, for the transfer of land title in urban tenantries at $2.50 per sq. ft. which the DLP has also stalled.

On the grounds of accessibility, availabil-ity and affordability the DLP housing poli-cy has been a miserable failure.

A re-elected BLP will place renewed emphasis on policies to ensure the affordability and ac-cessibility of house spots, as well as houses of different types, sizes and price ranges to meet the needs of current and future generations.

Specifically we will Increase home ownership opportunities:• The Physical Development Plan has iden-

tified land in locations all over Barbados which is suitable for housing. There is at present a tremendous imbalance in hous-ing settlements with areas in the south of the island trending towards over popula-tion and areas in the north under popu-

lated. The availability of large areas suit-able for housing in the St. Lucy along with the need to ensure the continued viability of Barbados’ second town, Speightstown, will be our focus in bringing major housing developments to the north of the island.

We will:• Support the approval of the subdivision of

those lands to meet the housing needs of the nation.

• Streamline the processes of the Town Planning Department and the Land Reg-istry to reduce the time it takes to devel-op and convey land. This will include the use of special development orders to fast track residential developments.

• Introduce the Aided-Self Help Housing Programme where, in the finest Barba-dian tradition of incremental building, future homeowners can through their ef-forts and those of their community, com-plete and expand their houses as time and resources allow.

• Encourage the construction of multi-storey homes which for the same living space will occupy a smaller footprint on the land. This will result in the ability to construct more houses per acre and in a reduction in the cost of each house spot, thus improving affordability.

• Fully utilise the Housing Incentives Act

62

introduced by the BLP in 2007, to provide fiscal incentives to encourage private de-velopers to construct affordable housing.

• Also re-introduce the policy of the BLP, as reflected in the 2007 amendments to the Town Planning Act, which provides that housing developments by private devel-opers of 40 or more units or lots will be re-quired to dedicate 25% of the lots or the equivalent financing for affordable hous-ing.

Rental ProgrammesThe rental sector is a key part of the housing sector and must be seen as complementary to the policy of home ownership and not as a competing policy.

We will:• Implement the programme which now

exists for the transfer of NHC units to qualified tenants free of cost. WE WILL HOWEVER REDUCE THE QUALIFYING PERIOD FROM 20 TO 15 YEARS TO AL-LOW TENANTS WHO WERE TENANTS OF THE NHC FOR 15 YEARS TO BE EN-TITLED TO OWN THEIR UNITS.

• Build units for rent with the option to own in several housing developments. These will cover the entire range of scale, from

high rise complexes to small duplex units as in-fill in existing communities.

• Provide for the needs of the physically-challenged by following best practice re-lated to fully accessible housing.

• Make provision for the care of children and the elderly in new rental residential developments.

• Re-capitalise the General Workers Loan Fund at the NHC to provide hassle-free affordable financing for repairs and main-tenance of their homes.

• Make the National Building Code manda-tory.

Renewable Energy in the Housing SectorThe BLP has left a proud legacy of support and incentives which have resulted in the use of solar water in thousands of houses as well as hotels, restaurants, etc. It is our intention during the next term in office to provide an enabling framework of legislation and incen-tives which will result in the widespread use of photovoltaic cells to generate electricity in our households.

We will:• Increase the level of the income tax de-

duction available as a home allowance and extend its applicability to include photovoltaic, wind and other renewable energy sources.

63

The National Housing Corporation has been made virtually bankrupt by the Democratic Labour Party Government. When last in office the BLP restructured the finances of the NHC by eliminating its debt and placed it in a solid financial position.

We will restructure the NHC to enable it to:• Carry out proper and timely maintenance

of its rental units and estates.• Undertake more of its own direct con-

struction activities.• Speedily and fairly administer the alloca-

tion of land and houses whether for rent or for sale.

• Support the formation of Tenants Asso-ciations in all NHC housing communities to be the voice of the tenants.

Housing and NeighbourhoodUpgrade ProgrammeThe BLP secured funding from the IDB to fi-nance a grant of $10,000 to low income householders unable to access regular mort-gage and other loan financing to acquire or upgrade their homes. Unfortunately the DLP has stalled the programme. The BLP will sys-tematically remove the constraints which have hindered access to the funds by the intended recipients.

Urban Tenantries The BLP will re-energize the program for the sale of land in urban tenantries to the tenants at the subsidized price of $2.50 per sq. ft.

Vacant /Derelict Urban LotsThe eighteen hundred vacant lots and der-elict structures in the urban area represent untapped potential for the provision of hous-ing and for improving physical conditions in urban neighbourhoods. The BLP will formalise arrangements with the land owners on possi-bilities for joint development and sale of these properties to the benefit of the land owner while meeting the housing needs of hundreds of Barbadians.

Catastrophe Fund

THE BLP WILL AMEND THE LAW TO ENSURE THAT THE CATASTROPHE FUND, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE BLP IN 2007 TO PROVIDE FUNDING, WAS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST LOWER INCOME PERSONS WITH HOUSE DAMAGE AFTER A NATURAL DISAS-TER, IS RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL INTENT.WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE TOMAS ARE FAIRLY TREATED AND ALL OUTSTANDING CLAIMS SATIS-FACTORILY RESOLVED.

64

Building Community SpiritHousing developments must be designed with the aim of building communities rather than merely constructing houses.

We will:• Ensure that all housing developments

contain facilities for community interac-tions, including sports, meetings, and so-cial activities.

• Reinvigorate the Community Develop-ment Department which will spearhead targeted programmes and interventions to help to build a sense of community.

Public transportation plays a major role in na-tional development. Regrettably, over the past five years, the current DLP government has failed to address the problem of traffic con-gestion. Equally, the state of our road network continues to decline and will require immedi-ate attention.

The last BLP Government committed to a pro-gramme to provide paved roads in all commu-nities in Barbados by 2010. That programme was abandoned by the DLP especially in St. Lucy, St. Peter, St. Thomas, St. Andrew and St. Joseph.

In addition, far too many residential and tenantries roads are in need of urgent re-furbishment.

We will:• Restore its programme to provide all ma-

jor communities in barbados with paved roads as soon as practicable;

• Rescue the flyover project from the grip of reckless partisanship and bring sensible relief to the grid-locked citizens of barba-dos by constructing flyovers at strategic points on the ABC Highway through the mechanism of Public-Private sector part-nerships.

• Open up a new express highway linking hothersal turning roundabout to the har-mony hall globe roundabout.

• Provide sidewalks to accommodate all physically challenged individuals espe-cially within the city centres.

65

• Fully upgrade and repave Highway 1 from Speightown to the UWI junction.

• Provide roundabouts at the Combermere/Waterford junction; Combermere Sta-dium junction; Sweet Bottom junction; Dash Valley Junction, Windsor and New-ton on the ABC Highway.

• Undertake a major road widening & up-grade programme that includes the fol-lowing areas:

1. Andrews Factory to Combermere School via Market Hill and Hothersal Turning (Highway 3).

2. St. Thomas Parish Church to Holetown, St. James.

3. Highway 5 from Six Roads to Bussa.4. Widening the ABC Highway to 4 lanes

from the Graeme Hall roundabout to the Grantley Adams Airport (ABC Highway).

5. Pursue a comprehensive road develop-ment and rehabilitation programme as part of the remit of the Scotland district authority.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTA new BLP Government is committed to a more efficient and effective Transport Board as the principal transport body of the country.

We will: • Continue to provide a subsidy to the

Transport Board, which will be capped to efficiently manage the cost to the public.

• Implement measures to reduce costs which will include using solar energy, nat-ural gas and other energy saving options.

• Provide at least 30 new buses per year

through a lease arrangement with the pri-vate sector.

• Require the Transport Authority to fulfill and execute its mandate of regulating and organizing the public transport sector to ensure greater efficiency and reliability.

• Significantly refurbish and modernise the Speightstown, River, Fairchild Street and Lower Green Bus Terminals.

• Amend the current legislation to permit the sale of diesel by the Transport Board.

The Government ElectricalEngineering Department A BLP government will radically transform the Government Electrical Engineering Depart-ment to enable it to respond in a more timely manner to the growing needs of householders and businesses without compromising its im-portant health and safety responsibilities.

ROAD TAXESWe will immediately:• REDUCE THE DLP’S DRACONIAN ROAD

TAXES ON VEHICLES TO THE 2007 LEVELS. • Reduce the duty free replacement period

from 5 years to 4 years for new taxis to assist owners in maintaining a more effi-cient rolling stock.

• Make the necessary provisions to enable an individual who sells a vehicle before the expiry of his annual road tax to receive a refund for the unused portion of that tax.

66

We will:• Restore the Poverty Eradication Fund of

$10 million to be replenished annually. • Restore the Social Investment Fund.• Establish a Poverty Eradication and Social

Investment Commission with qualified persons from Civil Society with a clear re-mit to oversee resources allocated under the Poverty and Social Investment Fund, in a non-partisan way, to address poverty,

A Renewed Focus onPoverty Eradication THE BARBADOS LABOUR PARTY, UNDERSTANDS THAT POVERTY IS A MATERIAL CONDITION THAT REQUIRES A MATERIAL RESPONSE.

This party which has championed the cause of democracy in this country since the 1930s has had Social Transformation at the heart of its social policy agenda.

A Barbados Labour Party government will launch a renewed attack on poverty, tackle marginalisation and strategically address par-ticular vulnerabilities which keep people back, exclude them, and promote inequalities and inequities.

We will build on our legacy of providing re-sources to eradicate all elements of poverty from our landscape through institutional ar-rangements that are free of Ministerial inter-ference and without the element of politi-cal partisanship. We recognise that the fight against poverty must have that significant material dimension that every Barbadian seeks towards the fulfilment of a decent standard of living.

The DLP administration which promised to give much prominence to the ‘building of a so-ciety’ as distinct from an economy has dem-onstrated its inability to address the issue of poverty and dependency. Under the current DLP administration, poverty has reached its highest point in modern history with 19.3% of Barbadians – almost one in five – living un-der the poverty line and many more on the brink of going into poverty. It has contributed significantly to the social deterioration in Bar-bados over the last five years by a regime of ill-advised taxation. Additionally, the absence of strategic social policy initiatives has served to reinforce dependency and increase poverty levels.

Furthermore, community and private initiative and ingenuity have been significantly stifled and replaced by a reliance on state sponsored activities, resulting also in the dis-empower-ment of community actors.

67

marginalization and social decay at all levels of society.

• Expand the Reverse Tax Credit as refer-enced elsewhere in the Manifesto.

Increasing Citizens ParticipationThe Barbados Labour Party is committed to furthering the process of popular democracy as a critical part of Barbadian development. This will entail the wider participation of our citizens in meaningful ways in critical aspects of our governance and development.

We will: • Facilitate the formation and functioning

of effective Citizens’ Panels to give fuller meaning to the practice of Democracy and to enhance accountability in public service delivery.

• Recapitalise the Social Enterprise and In-novation Fund.

• Establish an Innovation and Resource Mo-bilisation Team.

• Work with our social partners to facilitate a percentage return from profits from the private sector to targeted community de-velopment in the context of a tax regime.

The Modernised and RestructuredUDC and RDC The Community Development Department and the Urban and Rural Development Com-missions must have an enhanced relevance in the delivery of community services – both in-frastructural and social.

We will:• Modernise and restructure the Communi-

ty Development Department and the Ur-ban and Rural Development Commissions

and establish an oversight mechanism that allows them to have a holistic work-ing relationship.

• Commit to the contracting out of ser-vices to community organizations while ensuring that such services are delivered efficiently and in accordance with estab-lished legislation and policy.

• Without losing sight of their role in build-ing physical facilities in communities, to move these agencies also in the direction of creating enterprises at the level of the community thereby stimulating econom-ic activity.

Community GovernanceA BLP Government will seek to enhance the use of valuable assets within our communi-ties through facilitating arrangements with Churches, Community and Non-Governmen-tal Organizations to assist in the provision of social services and the crafting of sound and equitable economic arrangements for vulner-able persons.

We will:• Transfer management of community fa-

cilities to community entities on a phased basis.

• Fund innovative community driven proj-ects that seek to empower individuals and families through credible CBOs and NGOs.

• Encourage the formation of new CBOs/

68

NGOs • Rationalize the arms of government which

deal with CBO/NGO matters into a single entity to oversee their legal status and to establish protocols for accountability and transparency.

• Support a ‘Block by Block’ initiative where employment and business training and support will be available to our young men on every ‘Block’ in Barbados, ensur-ing that all have a chance to earn a decent living.

A National Youth ServiceWe will introduce a National Youth Service Programme which will initiate youth-led edu-cational service projects in partnership with non-profit agencies that strengthen commu-nities, and teach the youth about the impor-tance of being active members of their com-munities through service and volunteerism.

National Youth CommissionA Barbados Labour Party government will in-troduce a National Youth Commission to en-sure the full participation of our youth in the formulation of national development strat-egies and to provide a mechanism for incor-porating their views, interests and concerns within all national policies and initiatives.

Strategic Interventionsfor Specific Vulnerabilities The social policy agenda of the Barbados La-bour Party will seek to respond to the needs and interests of our most vulnerable. Addition-ally a Barbados Labour Party administration will intensify its efforts to be fully compliant with the obligations of International Conven-tions and other globally accepted instruments which speak to the creation of an equitable and just society for all citizens.

The Physically andotherwise ChallengedA Barbados Labour Party Government is com-mitted to the provision of equal opportunities for the physically and otherwise challenged in our national development. We will therefore provide for the full integration of the chal-lenged community into the labour market, ed-ucational system and social activities. We will further empower persons with disabilities by promoting meaningful opportunities for self employment.

We Will:• Open access to economic development• opportunities for persons with disabili-

ties.• Provide training and business counselors.• Ensure easy access to finance for viable

business activities.• Ensure that the creative talents of the

disabled are harnessed and developed through music, poetry and all aspects of the performing arts.

• Provide scholarships to persons with dis-abilities to attend Galludet University to maximize their academic and profession-al potential.

• Provide tax relief on vehicles that have

69

been specially designed for the use solely by the physically challenged.

Gender and DevelopmentWe will:• Conduct a further review of legislation to

correct any remaining gender imbalances so as to foster greater harmony among the sexes and create a more equitable and just society.

• Ensure that in the development of all poli-cies and programmes consideration is giv-en to the differential impact on men and women and that there are equal and/or equitable opportunities and benefits for both sexes.

The HomelessWe will:• Continue to provide transitional accom-

modation, counseling and social assis-tance to persons displaced by fire, flood or any other kind of disaster.

• Enter lease arrangements with owners of unused lots for the purpose of provid-ing housing solutions to very low income earners.

Restoring Strong FamiliesFamilies are the bedrock of our society and the life-blood of our communities. Many families are now bearing the brunt of harsh economic

times, leading to difficulties and tensions in the home as evidenced by the growing num-bers of domestic disputes reported to police and played out in the Courts, cases before the Welfare Department Reconciliation Pro-gramme, divorces, separations, and the inci-dents of homelessness and destitution among young adults and the elderly.

In an effort to address this break-down a BLP Government will:• Introduce a sustained Family Intervention

Programme as a strategy to stabilize fam-ilies, reduce homelessness and squatting, improve outcomes for children, change lives and build safer homes and communi-ties.

• WORK WITH THE SOCIAL PARTNERS TO IMPLEMENT PATERNITY LEAVE FOR FA-THERS.

• Establish a programme in partnership with the private sector and civil society that targets households in which no one is employed and prioritises their access to new employment opportunities.

Community Mediation The Barbados Labour Party administration will introduce mechanisms to facilitate communi-ty mediation as part of its response to conflict at the family and community level.

We will:• Establish community based conflict me-

diation centres to be run by skilled volun-teers but financed by public private sector partnerships on a matching funds basis.

• Partner with churches and other such en-tities already involved in providing family counseling services.

70

Community Technology ProgrammeAccess to affordable, available and quality in-ternet connectivity and usage still remains an issue among many Barbadians

We will:• Bridge the ‘Digital Divide’ that still exists

through an enhanced and expanded Com-munity Technology Programme to ensure that Barbadians of all walks of life have access to computers and the internet.

• Explore all the opportunities presented by Information and Communications Tech-nology to create opportunities in entre-preneurship, employment and continuing education for at-risk YOUTH and vulner-able persons within communities.

• Expand and reorient the Community Technology Programme to make it a more income-generating initiative by broaden-ing the subject content offered.

71

72

The Barbados Labour Party has always been committed to maintaining good and stable industrial relations, which is an important el-ement to the development of Barbados, and critical to national productivity and competi-tiveness.

We will:• Strengthen and enhance the Social Part-

nership as an instrument for civic engage-ment, productivity improvement and for building social cohesion.

• Compile a comprehensive and consolidat-ed framework of Laws and Labour stan-dards to govern industrial relations prac-tices, and to improve and protect workers’ rights where necessary.

• Promote labour/management coopera-tion between employers and workers in industry.

• Strengthen the capacity of the Labour De-partment to ensure the effective delivery of core functions such as conciliation, in-spections and complaints investigation.

Television remains one of the most powerful media in Barbados. Yet, Barbados remains the last country in the English speaking Caribbean with a state owned television station, Carib-bean Broadcasting Corporation, enjoying a monopoly. This must come to an end.

Further, the convergence of telecommunica-tions and broadcast, and the advent of new social and digital media have significantly al-tered the landscape within which information is communicated by and to our people.

We will:• URGENTLY AND IMMEDIATELY ISSUE

ADDITIONAL TELEVISION LICENCES TO ENSURE THAT OUR CITIZENS ARE GIVEN CHOICE WITH RESPECT TO THEIR AC-CESS TO NEWS, INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT ON FREE TO AIR TELE-VISION.

• Establish a Public Service Broadcast Chan-nel to provide access for programming fo-cused on reinforcing our sovereignty and national and regional identity and devel-opment.

• Establish a local Programming Fund to support the development of local pro-grammes for radio, television, film and new media.

Broadcast & New Media

• Reform the Broadcast Commission to al-low for greater transparency.

• Legislate to allow for co-location for the purposes of transmission sites, rather than this being left to the discretion of the existing owners of sites as is presently the case.

• Address urgently the need for a frame-work to govern the relationship between traditional broadcasters and telecom-munications providers engaged in Cable broadcasting and new media.

73

Setting Standards for TrainingIn today’s emerging competitive labour mar-ket environment, it is essential that our la-bour force is equipped to meet the challenges of competition. Mindful of these ongoing re-quirements.

We will:• Provide better alignment of the BVTB and

the TVET Council and promote greater collaboration to ensure that training is geared towards fully preparing partici-pants for the requirements of the job mar-ket.

• Promote and set standards for TVET Train-ing.

• Establish and implement procedures for the training and certification of artisans in Barbados to enable them to meet the re-quirements for registration with the Bar-bados Building Authority.

• Implement a policy to integrate persons with disabilities into the Skills Training Programme.

Vocational Training The Barbados Vocational Training Board con-tinues to make a significant contribution to the development of the human capital of our country through implementation of vocation-al training programmes, aimed primarily at the youth.

We will:• Continue to review the quality assurance

system that underpins the vocational training programmes so that they are rel-evant and meet national standards.

• Develop and update occupational stan-dards and National Vocational Qualifica-tions to meet identified needs in the sec-tors of tourism and hospitality, customer service, information and communications technology, and construction and build-ing related services.

• Ensure that training is geared towards de-veloping a competent workforce that can reposition Barbados to meet the new and emerging labour market requirements.

• Ensure that the Employment Training Fund is better ulitised to help build a new cadre of entrepreneurs and strengthen existing small businesses.

Barbados has traditionally enjoyed an out-standing reputation in the international are-na. Our foreign policy has been steadfast and visionary, giving rise to what is known as the “Barbados model” of development. Regret-tably much of the hardwork that went into building that reputation has been squandered under a DLP administration.

74

Despite the challenges of recent years, the Barbados Labour party is committed to re-energizing our foreign relations and foreign trade, through strong diplomacy. These efforts would achieve for us exciting new economic, social and cultural opportunities.

We are resolved that our small nation must once again be held in highest regard in the in-ternational community.

We will:• Market a principled foreign policy. • Ensure the full exercise of our jurisdiction

over the fisheries and mineral resources within the extensive marine space that has been awarded to us by international arbitration in the southern and eastern sectors.

• Introduce a modern legislative and stra-tegic policy framework for integrated oceans management

Enlarge Barbados’ RegionalEconomic Space:The initiative for creating the Caribbean Single Market and Economy has faltered disastrously because of the failure of the DLP to provide leadership. The Caribbean region is the larg-est single market for Barbadian goods and our non-traditional services. It is also the largest source market for our tourism sector.

We therefore still consider that the creation of the single market and economy is in Bar-bados’ best strategic interests and it must be pursued with renewed vigour. Our economy depends on a successful creation of the CSME.

Conversely, the success of the CSME depends on the active and committed participation of Barbados at all levels of the Social Partnership.

We will:• Restore leadership to the Caribbean Sin-

gle Market and Economy so as to aggres-sively pursue all available commercial opportunities within the CSME for Barba-dian entrepreneurs, service providers and skilled nationals.

• Support the initiative to deepen and en-hance regional security co-operation be-yond the Regional Security System as a vital pillar of the regional integration ef-fort.

• Resuscitate and renew the programme to promote enhanced functional co-opera-tion and the provision of common services as an important aspect of regional inte-gration among the members and associ-ate members of the Caribbean Commu-nity to bring the benefits of integration to all of our citizens.

• Continue our advocacy and leadership of

75

the initiatives which Barbados pioneered in respect of a CARICOM Common Fisher-ies Regime and the recognition by the in-ternational Community of the Caribbean Sea as a Special Area in the context of Sus-tainable Development.

• Continue to pursue the stalled negotia-tions for bilateral fisheries agreements with Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

• Re-energise the negotiation and imple-mentation of a new and improved hemi-spheric trade and economic arrangement in which Barbados’ goods and services have relatively free access to all markets in the hemisphere.

• Actively participate in the design and im-plementation of new and enhanced trade and economic partnerships between CARICOM and the USA and CARICOM and Canada to replace the CBI and CARIBCAN arrangements respectively.

Equip Barbados to Secure its Future in the Global Economy

We will:• Pursue a regional approach to bilateral

arrangements with other non-CARICOM Countries and extra-regional entities.

• Ensure active and beneficial participation in a fully functioning Regional Economic Partnership Agreement (REPA) with the European Union in which Barbados’ goods and services enjoy duty free treatment in the EU market.

• Continue the integration of Barbados into the emerging global economy on terms of trade that provide special and differential treatment and adequate transitional ar-

rangements for the small economies of the Caribbean.

• Partner with the UWI (Cave Hill) to pro-vide institutional strengthening and hu-man resource development in interna-tional trade policy.

• Establishment a Trade Investigations and Compliance Unit and enact anti-dump-ing, subsidies, countervailing and safe-guards legislation.

Establish and Preserve harmonious re-lations with foreign governments

We will:• Continue to reposition Barbados glob-

ally, through the expansion of our diplo-matic coverage and by rationalizing our relationship with the European Union and maximize our opportunities.

• Give priority to the early opening of a full consulate in Georgetown Guyana to ser-vice our growing bilateral commercial and consular interests.

• Enhance the international competitive-ness of Barbados’ goods and services through an expanded and well structured capacity for the setting, observance and management of Standards, and of Sani-tary and Phytosanitary (SPS) rules.

76

Promote the political economic and cultural interests of Barbados in other countries and in international organ-isations

We will:• Create a strategic alliance within the

United Nations, the International Finan-cial Institutions and the Development Agencies for Millennium Developed Goals and Middle Income Developing Countries

• Maintain strong leadership in interna-tional negotiations to influence policies supportive of the Caribbean’s vital inter-ests on issues of fundamental importance such at the response to climate change and global warming, and the HIV/ AIDS pandemic.

Promote and protect the interests of Barbadians abroad

We will:• Formalise channels to engage the Barba-

dian diaspora and to encourage their ac-tive participation in the Barbados’ devel-opment efforts through investment, the transfer of skills and through advocacy in their countries of residence for policies favourable to Caribbean interests

• Further expand the network of Honorary Consuls in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Promote Barbados as a Centre forBusiness and Diplomacy

We will:• Rationalise and update the regime of

privileges and immunities governing the operation of regional and international agencies in Barbados; ensuring that Bar-bados remains the preferred choice for the regional Headquarters of such Agen-cies;

• Establish in partnership with a recognised academic institution, a residential centre for research, dialogue and advocacy on the issues of security, economic devel-opment and governance of small states, utilising Barbados’ internationally recog-nised attributes.

Restructure, modernise and strength-en the Barbados Foreign Service

We will:• Revise the 1972 External Service Orders

to reflect the realities of a modern Foreign Service and to harmonize its provisions with the New Public Service Act

• Complete the implementation of the rec-ommendations of the Inspection Team on the Conditions of Service of diplomatic and local staff overseas

• Through an alliance with UWI (Cave Hill) establish a Foreign Service Institute or Diplomatic Training Academy for the ori-entation and training of our Foreign Ser-vice personnel at all levels, and for the training of the wider public service in those aspects of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy relevant to their portfolios.

• Complete the stalled project to construct a new Headquarters building for the Min-istry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

77

New Public Service EthosIn 2007, the Barbados Labour Party Govern-ment took a major step in reforming the Bar-bados Public Service with the passage of the Public Service Act. This legislation was aimed at modernising the administration of the pub-lic service for greater efficiency and effective-ness.

Unfortunately, given the manner in which the Act has been administered by the Democrat-ic Labour Party Government, it has failed to live up to expectations as may be seen by the many problems that still plague this sector in-cluding:

• The late payment of salaries;• Officers working without appointment

for extraordinarily long periods;• Failure to fill vacancies within the one year

limit established by the Act;• The failure to create an ethos of discipline

within the Service as may be seen in poor work attitudes, high absenteeism, ram-pant malingering; and

• The failure to complete in a timely man-ner disciplinary cases again offenders – that small minority that give the Service a bad name.

We will:• Establish a special unit to address and

eliminate the chronic problem of late payment of salaries to substitute public officers.

• Review and re-evaluate the programme of Public Sector reform to determine its appropriateness and wherever necessary refocus and redirect it to meet the many technological and other changes that have occurred since its beginning.

• Implement a training programme for new entrants to the Service to ensure that they are equipped with the right attitudes and skills to serve their publics with the pro-fessionalism and empathy required.

• Create means by which retired, experi-enced and qualified public servants can provide training for junior officers.

• Re-engage, wherever possible on a short-term basis, the services and talents of the several highly experienced and trained public servants who have left the Service.

• Reposition the Public Service to ensure that it continues to play its pivotal and requisite role in a diversified Barbadian economy, including through the estab-lishment of a Business Facilitation Unit in the office of the Prime Minister to en-hance Barbados’ appeal and competitive-ness in attracting foreign investment and maintaining business competitiveness.

78

• Establish without delay an accessible in-ventory of the talents, qualifications and experience of each civil servant.

• Set up a Public Service Institute for the continuous training of public officers.

• Re-write in conjunction with the unions new regulations for the public service (in-cluding an accepted qualification by ex-perience (QBE)).

• Strengthen significantly the office of the Chief Personnel Officer to improve effi-ciency.

• Improve and enlarge the categories of public servants entitled to car and trav-el allowances, overseas leave and study abroad.

• Maximise the use of information and com-munication technology (ICT) in all public sector decision-making and for delivery of all services.

The last Barbados Labour Party administration made the largest investment in policing in this nation’s history to make the job of policing safer.

We must pay attention to the recruitment of new officers and the retention of serving po-licemen and women and do all that is nec-essary to increase the numbers of the Royal

Strengthening Law Enforcement

Barbados Police Force. Equally, a caring govern-ment must pay careful attention to the health and well-being of police officers.

A new BLP administration will tackle these is-sues by introducing innovative policies which will enhance the recruitment and career con-ditions and prestige of the Force, making the profession a career of choice.

We will:• Improve salaries of police constables at

the entry-level including the payment of competency based increments for Con-stables and Sargeants.

• Introduce a hazard allowance on a gradu-ated scale which will reflect the level of risks to which members of the Force are exposed.

• Give the members of the Force the option to take early retirement at age 55 or at age 60 or upon completion of 26 years of service.

• Provide adequate resources for the con-tinual upgrading of the skills and compe-tencies of members of the Force

• Intensify the focus on training and re-training at the technical and managerial levels of the force. Particular attention will be paid to further enhancement of the problem-solving and intelligence-led ap-proaches to policing currently being used.

• Construct new stations at Hastings, in Christ Church, Six Roads St. Philip, Bel-leplaine, St. Andrew, Cane Garden, St. Thomas and Black Rock, St. Michael.

• Construct an ultra modern Headquarters at Central Police Station.

• Provide adequate resources to allow the intensification of community policing and the empowerment of communities,

79

including the strengthening of the Neigh-bourhood Watch groups.

• Use more technology to allow all police officers to better protect themselves and the community.

• Revamp the Complaints Authority and the Office of Professional Responsibility of the RBPF to support ethical policing.

Expanding Access to JusticeOur system of justice should be fair, swift and accessible. Such a justice system ensures the safe-guarding of citizens’ rights, and preserves Barbados as a safe haven and a place where its citizens as well as non-citizens would wish to conduct business and make investments.

In our last BLP Administration, we built a new Supreme Court complex and substantially im-proved the efficiency of the justice system. We made significant progress in the restructuring and modernization of the Courts, the Registra-tion Department and the Court Process office, including the Civil Procedure Rules.

We will: • Intensify the integration of the Justice Sys-

tem so that law enforcement, the Courts and the Penal Institutions are fully func-tionally connected, inter alia, through greater sharing of information.

• Establish a Commercial Law Reform Com-mission.

• Establish a dedicated Commercial Court and a dedicated Criminal Court.

• Improve the administration of justice by ensuring that the Supreme Court and its Registry are adequately staffed at all lev-els including expanding the size of the Ju-diciary.

• Establish a Drug Court to deal primarily with first time substance abusers who are capable of being rehabilitated through a supervised drug treatment programme.

• Implement a ticketing system to deal with traffic offences which can be disposed of through the payment of fines.

• Establish a small claims court, a less for-mal court, where individuals can go to deal with claims up to a value of $5,000.

• Construct new Magistrates’ courts at Belleplaine, St. Andrew, Cane Gar-den, St. Thomas, and Coleridge Street, Bridgetown.

• Modernise the maintenance laws to pro-vide new arrangements for maintenance actions and payments, including the at-tachment of salaries, thereby rescuing mothers from enduring demeaning condi-tions in order to collect maintenance pay-ments due under court orders.

Early Intervention andCrime PreventionWhile law enforcement and rehabilitative ef-forts are key elements to securing law and order, we must place equal emphasis on ef-

80

forts to ensure that our young people do not go down the wrong path. We need to adopt firm, no-nonsense approaches to save our “at risk” youth, and prevent them from getting in-volved in crime in the first place.

We Will:• Establish teams of youth leaders along-

side vetted ex-offenders to reach out to dis-affected youth and at-risk youth.

• Increase the access to and use of many community and other civic centres by our youth by establishing creative and chal-lenging programs that will capture their imagination.

• Establish youth facilities to reach “at risk” youth as well as teaching young people to be responsible citizens.

Juvenile JusticeFor those young persons who come into con-tact with the formal justice system, we must develop a sufficient range of remedial options which will make them more responsible and accountable for their actions and will foster an understanding of the impact of crime on vic-tims, and on society in general.

We Will:• Enact a new Young Offenders Act provid-

ing a range of custodial and non-custo-

dial sentences which will emphasise the concept of restorative justice, allowing the victim, the offender and the affected community to take an active part in re-pairing the harm done.

• Construct a new Young Offenders Institu-tion.

• Establish a Crisis Intervention Centre which will offer a range of treatment and training interventions designed to address the underlying problems of its clients.

• Provide a wider range of support services for families of affected youth as well as the youth themselves.

Barbados Prison ServiceBarbados now has a state of the art prison fa-cility which meets many of the international standards for the housing of persons deprived of their liberty. However, while our Prison must keep society safe from criminals, it must also achieve behavioural change in the inmates so that re-offending is significantly reduced. This will require programmes that promote litera-cy, equip inmates with skills while addressing mental health issues, substance abuse and an-tisocial behavior.

We will:• Intensify training and skills development

programmes and opportunities for the

81

members of the Barbados Prison Service;• Develop and implement well structured

rehabilitation, educational and skills training programmes for inmates.

• Upgrade the range of counselling services offered.

• Reconstitute the After Care Committee given the vital role that it will play in sup-porting inmates’ transition and reintegra-tion into society. An offender who is not successfully reintegrated into our society will likely commit criminal acts again and create more victims.

• Work with the private sector to develop and implement pilot programmes aimed at providing gainful employment for for-mer inmates.

Barbados Fire Service

We will:• Construct a new station at Six Roads, St.

Philip to meet the needs of South Eastern Barbados.

• Give Officers the option of taking early retirement at age 55 or retire at age 60 or upon completion of 26 years of service.

• Continue to upgrade the skills and com-petencies of members of the Barbados Fire Service through training and develop-ment opportunities.

Barbados Postal Service

We will:• Construct new Post Offices at Belleplaine,

St. Andrew and Six Roads, St. Philip.• Relocate the Post Office from Bentham’s,

St. Lucy to Nesfield as part of the pro-posed new town centre.

• Intensify action on the conversion of the Postal Service into a corporate entity.

Emergency Management ServicesThe new Department of Emergency Manage-ment came into being on April 1, 2007 with an expanded mandate. However, our recent expe-rience with Tropical Storm Tomas has exposed weaknesses in our ability to bring prompt re-lief to victims. Over two years later, many of the homes that were affected by Tomas re-main unrepaired. Better must be done!

We will:• Conduct continuous national vulner-

ability assessment which will inform the designation of specially vulnerable areas, buildings and communities.

• Develop national mitigation strategies that will allow the effective and appropri-ate use of the Catastrophe Fund.

• Provide training opportunities for the vol-unteers and much needed equipment and supplies for the District Emergency Or-

82

ganisations, community based organisa-tions.

• Develop a programme of temporary ac-commodation for persons displaced by disaster.

The Barbados Defence ForceFrom its inception in 1979, the Barbados De-fence Force (BDF) has made a significant con-tribution in several areas of national life.

The BLP remains committed to the strength-ening and modernisation of the BDF as a criti-cal part of our national security. This process was started by the last BLP Administration with the construction of a new Coast Guard Base and the acquisition of new Coast Guard vessels.

We will:• Continue the modernisation of the BDF.

Forty-six years ago, Barbadians assumed full responsibility for the running of our own af-fairs. Through the fortitude and determina-tion of generations of ordinary citizens we have earned our way in the world and are recognised as a leading developing country which enjoys global admiration and respect. Our commitment to the values of hard work, integrity, discipline and respect has helped to establish Barbados as a well-ordered Parlia-mentary democracy.

To build on this reputation, we must now en-hance our governance system to ensure that services are not poorly delivered or not deliv-ered at all; that straightforward decisions are not tied up in red tape; that vital economic opportunities are not lost through inefficiency and incompetence. A Barbados Labour Party Government will quickly modernise our structure and systems of governance to make the transformation to a new and better governance a reality.

A Better Governance

83

We will forge a spirit of partnership between the Government and the people it is elected to serve to bring about transformational change. Government is strengthened when citizens are confident, self-reliant and dedicated to serv-ing the best interests of their families, their communities and ultimately their country.

Barbados is not only about what more Government can do, but about what we can do together. We must all worktogether to move our country forward.

We will:• Present an Annual Prime Ministerial

Statement to a Joint Sitting of Parliament wherein the Government’s main policies and its legislative agenda are laid out for both Houses and for the Community as part of the exercise to strengthen gover-nance.

• Afford ordinary Barbadians greater in-fluence on the Parliamentary Process through the establishment of Standing

Committees of Parliament taking oral and written evidence on key national issues.

• Consult fully with the Social Partners, the Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Public on legislation to regulate the funding of political parties and campaign finance.

• Reform the Estimates of revenue and expenditure, and the entire Budgetary process to facilitate greater scrutiny of Government’s proposed Budgets and ac-countability for the details of proposed revenue and expenditure.

• Prioritise the reform of systems, rules and procedures to enhance and modernise

service delivery across those Government departments on which the public and the business community most heavily depend.

• Reconceptualise our statutory corpora-tions and the economic and societal in-terests which they secure and ensure that there is a greater level of participation by partners in the private sector and civil so-ciety.

• Include representatives of civil society in the composition of the Social Partnership.

• Enact Freedom of Information legisla-

84

• Enact Freedom of Information legisla-tion thereby increasing transparency and the ability to hold the Government to ac-count.

• Strengthen the human rights entitle-ments of our citizens and the entrench-ment of those rights in the Constitution, modernising them both in wording and content.

• Rebalance power between Parliament and the Executive to enable Parliament better to hold the Executive accountable.

• Strengthen the Standing Orders of Parlia-ment to ensure timely, responsible and effective transaction of the people’s busi-ness.

• Issue additional broadcast licenses to fa-cilitate an open environment for the flow of information.

• Engage in a programme of community empowerment to allow communities to assist in better managing community cen-tres and sporting facilities.

• Reform the system of Government pro-curement of goods and services to pro-vide greater access to and participation by larger numbers of Barbadians.

• Involve young people in a wide spectrum of endeavours and nation building activi-ties in a meaningful and rewarding man-ner.

The Team for A Better Tomorrow The Team for A Better Tomorrow

LEADER - St. Peter

OwenARTHUR

St. Joseph

DaleMARSHALL

GregoryNICHOLLS

St. MichaelNorth West

LynetteEASTMOND

St. Philip West

Christ Church West

MariaAGARD

JosephATHERLEY

St. Michael West St. MichaelSouth East

SantiaBRADSHAW

St. George North

GlineCLARKE

Christ ChurchWest Central

MargoDURANT-

CALLENDER

St. MichaelWest Central

IanGOODING-EDGHILL

St. Thomas

CynthiaFORDE

DavidGILL

St. MichaelSouth Central

St. John

Hudson E.GRIFFITH

Bridgetown

JeffreyBOSTIC

St. James North

EdmundHINKSON

St. MichaelNorth East

Mia AmorMOTTLEY

St. Michael South

NoelLYNCH

St. Andrew

GeorgePAYNE

Christ ChurchEast Central

DesmondSANDS

St. George South

DwightSUTHERLAND

St. James Central

KerrieSYMMONDS

St. Philip South

AnthonyWOOD

Christ Church South

JeromeWALCOTT

Christ Church East

WilfredABRAHAMS

St. Michael North

RonaldTOPPIN

St. Philip North

IndarWEIR

St. Lucy

PeterPHILLIPS

St. Michael East

TrevorPRESCOD

St. Michael Central

ArthurHOLDER

St. James South

SandraHUSBANDS

Published by the Barbados Labour Party, 111 Roebuck Street, Bridgetown, Barbados. Printed by Coles Printery Limited.

The Visionfor A BetterTomorrow

Manifesto 2013A Blueprint for The Future